The story of Glad Tidings Church — from humble beginnings to a vibrant, multi-congregational community.
Glad Tidings Church was pioneered by a Finnish missionary couple, the Kossilas. In 1957, being led by God to start a church work in the Upper Serangoon/Tampines area, this new work soon grew as neighbouring estates started to spring up due to the rapid development of the suburban areas in Singapore.
The first services were conducted in open-air tents and it was through this channel that the gospel was first made known to the people who lived around the areas. Rev William P K Lee and his wife, Rachel were the first pastors of Glad Tidings Church. The Kossilas handed over the work of pastoring to this young couple when they left for Thailand.
Even from humble beginnings, overseas missions work was always on the heart of Rev William P K Lee. Glad Tiding Church’s first overseas missions trip was made in 1970 to Tanjong Pinang. This was just the start of many other trips that followed. Over the years, the church participated actively in training nationals and supporting church planters as they planted new works in various parts of Indonesia.
Glad Tidings Church continues her foray into missions throughout Southeast Asia.
On 5 May 2024, the church commissioned Ps Eric Yip as the Senior Pastor of Glad Tidings Church with Ps Lydia Chen as the Senior Pastor Designate. Prior to this, Rev Dr Paul Ng served as the Senior Pastor from May 2019 to April 2024.
The original Glad Tidings Church building (佳音礼拜堂)