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About New Life
"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."
Revelation 22:12
Before New Life Bible-Presbyterian Church (London) was established, the congregation was known as the United Reformed Church of Harlesden, part of the United Reformed Church (URC) in the UK. A number of the congregation were former Singaporeans and Malaysians who had immigrated to the United Kingdom many years earlier. As the URC moved in a more liberal direction, there was growing unease among members who had been brought up in the Presbyterian faith.
The Beginning of New Life B-P Church London
By God’s grace, in March 1991, Rev Eric Kwan, then Associate Pastor of New Life Bible-Presbyterian Church Singapore and now Pastor of Zion Bible-Presbyterian Church Singapore, arrived in London on sabbatical leave to study at London Theological Seminary. He came into contact with the congregation of the United Reformed Church of Harlesden and was eventually invited to minister to them.
Rev Kwan was surprised to discover that the congregation was part of the United Reformed Church, an organisation which differed significantly from the Reformed and Presbyterian convictions to which he and the congregation were accustomed. In his report to New Life Singapore, he highlighted the need for the congregation to consider separating from the denomination and establishing a Bible-Presbyterian Church in London.
Rev Kwan was subsequently released by the Session of New Life Singapore, while the URC congregation agreed to follow him in forming a new church and appointed him as their Pastor. Rev Kwan began to minister to the congregation and teach them from the Word of God and the Shorter Catechism.
On 29 August 1993, the congregation seceded from the URC and formed itself as New Life Bible-Presbyterian Church, London, with the support of New Life, Life and Calvary Bible-Presbyterian Churches in Singapore.
The Early Years
Following the separation from the URC, the congregation was left without a permanent place of worship, as the URC organisation took back its property. This small band of believers met at various rented premises, including side rooms at the American Church in London and residential homes, before eventually meeting at Willesden Green Library Centre.
The congregation undertook its own local expenses, while the churches in Singapore supported the Pastor’s stipend.
The early leadership consisted of Rev Eric Kwan, Elder Cheng Wei Ping, Daniel Poh and Betty Flynn. At the same time, the congregation began actively looking for a permanent place of worship.
Many properties were considered, but the Lord’s provision was not yet made known. Eventually, Rev Timothy Poh recommended a United Reformed Church property in Queen’s Park which was being offered for sale and was on the verge of being sold for conversion into a temple.
A Singapore Task Force was quickly formed under the leadership of Dr Tow Siang Hwa, Senior Pastor of Calvary Bible-Presbyterian Church. Other members included Dr Patrick Tan, Elder (Dr) Cheng Wei Nien and Elder (Dr) Lim Teck Chye. The Queen’s Park project became a partnership between New Life and Calvary Bible-Presbyterian Churches.
44 Salusbury Road
On 1 August 1996, following an eleventh-hour bid, the 100-year-old church building at 44 Salusbury Road, West Kilburn, London NW6 6NN was purchased for £465,000.
A new chapter in the history of New Life Bible-Presbyterian Church London had begun.
Mr Ted Scruton, a Christian builder and chief steward of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, was tasked with carrying out the renovations. A manse and hospitality accommodation were also constructed at the rear of the church within the large fellowship hall.
When Rev Kwan and his family returned to Singapore, Rev Vincent Hee became Pastor of the Church. He served for three and a half years and was particularly active in hospitality, caring for many travellers and students. His service concluded on 30 June 1998.
The London Task Force
Following Rev Vincent Hee’s ministry, the pastoral work was entrusted to Dn Lim Jyh Jiang, now Pastor of Pilgrim Covenant Church, Singapore, and Elder Khoo Peng Kiat, both of whom were serving with Life Bible-Presbyterian Church.
As there was no full-time minister at the time, Dr Tow Siang Hwa and Dr Patrick Tan took turns visiting the London congregation to guide and encourage the members.
The running of the Church was undertaken by the London Task Force, comprising:
- Elder Khoo Peng Kiat – Moderator
- Dn Lim Jyh Jiang – Assistant Pastor
- Dr Teo Chong Gee – Treasurer and Stated Clerk
- Frank Flynn – Church Administrator
- Betty Flynn – Domestic Supervisor
With the completion of the renovation in 1998 and the establishment of a regular core of worshippers, the Church continued under the supervision of the London Task Force.
By the grace of God and His providence, the regular Lord’s Day worship service at 11:00 am had an attendance of approximately 40–60 worshippers, while the evening Gospel service at 6:30 pm had an attendance of approximately 10–20.
The First Church Session
By early 2000, it was decided that the London Task Force should be disbanded so that a Church Session could be elected to oversee the Church.
An election was held in June 2000, supervised by Dr Patrick Tan, resulting in two Elders and two Deacons being elected to the Session.
The responsibilities were subsequently assigned as follows:
- Elder Cheng Wei Ping – Moderator
- Elder (Dr) Teo Chong Gee – Pulpit Ministry, including preaching and inviting guest preachers
- Dn Peter Chong – Stated Clerk
- Dn Wan Kwang Kok – Treasurer
The Lord’s continued blessing and care for the congregation resulted in the Church becoming self-sufficient in early 2001. As a result, financial support from New Life and Calvary Bible-Presbyterian Churches in Singapore was no longer required.
Continuing Ministry and Fellowship
Towards the end of 2001 and into mid-2002, Elder Sim Siang Kok of Calvary Pandan Bible-Presbyterian Church, Singapore, was invited to join the Church Session during his period of study in the United Kingdom, providing additional support and guidance.
Towards the end of 2002, Daniel Poh was called into the diaconate to replace Dn Wan Kwang Kok as Treasurer, as Dn Wan and his family prepared to move to Australia.
Throughout its history, the Lord has blessed and preserved New Life Bible-Presbyterian Church London, particularly during its early and formative years. The Church has also been blessed by many visiting preachers and speakers who have ministered to the congregation over the years, including:
Rev (Dr) Timothy Tow, Rev (Dr) Tow Siang Hwa, Rev (Dr) Patrick Tan, Pastor (Dr) Bob Vandermay, Pastor Jeff O’Neil, Rev Walford Catling, Rev Neil Pheasant, Dr Stephen Scott-Pearson, Rev Ray Porter, Rev (Dr) David Allen, Rev Brian Green, Rev Gordon Ferguson, Mr Chris Richards, Dr Alan Clifford, Pastor John Sherwood, Rev Philip Eveson, Rev Alan Macgregor, Rev Basil Howlett, Rev Maurice Roberts, Rev Samuel MacKay, Rev David Fields, Mr Owen Griffiths, Pastor Roger Fay, Pr Gervase Charmley, Pr Marc Vrambout, Eld Stephen Toms, Mr Andre Bay, Rev John Marshall, Rev Jonathan Tan, Rev Ahn Tae Yoon, Rev Edward Paauwe, Rev Tan Wai Choon, Rev Peter Tan, Rev Colin Wong, Rev Daniel Khoo, Rev Lim Chee Boon, Rev Philip Heng, Rev Yeo Seow Phong, Rev Jack Sin, Eld (Dr) George Chew, Pr Mok Chee Cheong, Rev Mark Chen, Rev Timothy Ki, Eld Khoo Peng Kiat, Eld (Dr) Teo Chong Gee, Mr Charles Scott-Pearson, Dr Carl Martin and many many more speakers.
The Church Today
On 2 August 2026, a new Church Session was established to provide leadership and oversight for New Life Bible-Presbyterian Church (London). The Session is led by Rev Lim Chee Boon, serving as Supervisory Pastor, and is supported by two Elders and two Deacons.
The Church continues to seek to serve the Lord faithfully and to uphold the Word of God in its worship, ministry and fellowship.
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Services
