“Loving our neighbours block by block,” that’s the story of Living Sanctuary Brethren Ch. This church in Hougang is not just a building. It is a living testament to community, faith, and transformation.
Let’s step back to 1965. Young teenagers from New Bridge Road Gospel Hall wanted to make a difference. Lawrence Chua and his brother started outreach in Bukit Ho Swee. They knocked on doors and invited children to Sunday School. They provided free tuition. They even helped families financially with their limited funds. This was the humble beginning of what would become Living Sanctuary Brethren Ch.
In 1982, the church grew. Members of Bukit Ho Swee Mission and New Bridge Road Gospel Hall started worshipping together. They met at Holland Road Chapel. Attendance rose from 25 to 70. The church changed its name to Exodus Brethren Chapel.
The church moved to a joint facility at Pasir Panjang Hill in 1982. Exodus Brethren Chapel joined with three sister churches.
A revival transformed the church in 1993. It happened at a church camp in Melaka. Members felt a profound change. The church renamed itself in 1995. They became Living Sanctuary Brethren Ch. The name reflected their joy and excitement. They saw themselves as spiritual “living stones.” The word “sanctuary” evoked the dwelling place of God.
Senior Pastor Lawrence Chua received a calling in 1995. God wanted the church to move to Hougang. The church bid for a site on Hougang St 22. They secured the land. The price difference between their bid and the next was the smallest known to the Housing & Development Board.
Living Sanctuary Brethren Ch moved to Hougang in 1997. The first Sunday worship was on October 12. The presence of God was felt by all.
The church started Community Pastoring in 1997. This outreach connected with Hougang residents. The first gift was a unique LSBC umbrella. Today, Living Sanctuary Brethren Ch continues to love and bless the Hougang community. They carry forth the gospel through acts of kindness.
Senior Pastor Lawrence Chua faced a challenge. The community viewed the church with suspicion. He mobilized the church for community outreach. Members reached out to every unit in 22 HDB blocks. They established friendships. Suspicion turned into friendship. Open doors led to open homes and open hearts.
Living Sanctuary Brethren Ch grew. It now has over 2,000 members. They have more than five worship services. The church embodies the Brethren values. These include the centrality of Christ, the authority of scripture, and the priesthood of all believers. They also value community engagement and simple discipleship.
Living Sanctuary Brethren Ch shows the power of faith in action. It is a story of transformation. It is a story of community. It is a story of living stones building a sanctuary of love and hope in Hougang.