El Olam, God Everlasting – God is Ever Faithful!

Reflections from a Missions Personnel’s Journey

Recently, one of our missions personnel, Marcus Chua, suffered a severe and life-changing injury. He had a terrible fall at home, likely striking his neck against the edge of a cabinet. Hours later, he was discovered by his wife, lying in a pool of blood, and was rushed to hospital. There, doctors confirmed he had sustained a spinal cord injury (SCI) that left him semi-quadriplegic — his legs are immobilised, with limited movement in his hands.

His lungs were also weakened, and he could no longer breathe unaided. Doctors performed a tracheostomy — creating an opening in his neck — through which he is now connected to a ventilator to assist with his breathing. In response, the missions community across Bartley, Singapore, and beyond came together in prayer for Marcus. And truly, by God’s grace, his condition has since stabilised somewhat.

I had the privilege of visiting Marcus, both at home and in hospital. During one of our conversations, he shared with me his journey of faith — how he came to know the Lord, how he served in church, and how he taught Bible studies. He also recounted how he had led many to Christ, including one individual who is now serving as a missions personnel at Bartley Christian Church — a testimony to Marcus’s faithful ministry.

Later, Marcus became involved in a ministry called CRIG (Comparative Religious Interest Group), engaging with people from various religious backgrounds and representing the truth claims of the Christian faith. He excelled in this work and was even once invited to a university to participate in a public debate.

Now, however, his ministry has taken a different form. Bedbound and reliant on machines, Marcus is seeking to write a book — a means of mentoring and guiding others involved in the same ministry. His body may be limited, but his desire to serve God remains unshaken.

At the end of our conversation, after recounting his life and ministry, Marcus said something that struck me deeply. He said:“God has been faithful — faithful to me as a boy, faithful in ministry, and now, even as I lie in bed, God is still faithful.”Those words have remained with me ever since: God is faithful. God is still faithful.

As I left the hospital, I found myself wondering: would I be able to utter those words in such circumstances? It’s easy to declare God’s faithfulness when life is going well — when health, wealth, relationships, and ministry are flourishing. But what about the difficult seasons? When relationships are strained, when wealth disappears, when health fails — would I still be able to say, God is faithful?

I have pondered this deeply, and I pray that I too — by faith — will be able to declare:“Lord, You are faithful in good times and in bad, yesterday, today, and forever. You are my everlasting God.”

Just two weeks ago, I spoke to Marcus over the phone. He shared how God had been speaking to him through Scripture, particularly through:

In Hebrew, El Olam — the Everlasting God.

I wonder — as you look back over the seasons of your life, both in joy and in trial — can you say, “God, You have been faithful”? Not only in the good times, but even in the hard times. Even when health fails, even when you feel weak and helpless, would you still be able to declare, as Marcus did: God, You are still faithful.

I pray that as we reflect on our lives — in the blessings and in the challenges — we may come to worship God afresh. That we may know Him as the God who works the impossible, the God who delivers, and the God who is everlasting.

May we join in a cry of worship, saying:

You are God Everlasting

You are El Olam

You are ever faithful!

A Reflection by Daniel Liu