Peter Yap Huat Tuan was born on March 6, 1921 in Singapore, three months after his parents Mr and Mrs Yap Lee Chip arrived from Fujian Province, China. The move was significant in that his parents became Christians shortly after their arrival. Yap wrote this in his memoir: “Their migration was to become a spiritual turning point — for them and for me.”^[1]

They named him Huat Tuan (法 传)[^[2] which reflected their hearts’ desire — that their son would grow to be a faithful servant of the Lord, to proclaim the gospel wherever doors would be opened. Yap was ever mindful of his parents’ aspirations.

Yap had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ in 1935 when Dr John Sung Shang Chieh came to Singapore to conduct a series of revival meetings, held at the Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church from August 30 to September 12. This was a watershed moment for the church in Singapore. For Yap, at the age of 14, this was the beginning of his faith journey. He remembered how the message impacted him. “At that moment, the Holy Spirit began His good work, convicting me of my sins and enabling me to confess and accept Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour ... On that very night, I was born again. Praise the Lord!” ^[3]

Yap married Miss Chew Geok Lan, daughter of Mr and Mrs Chew Puat Chwee in 1943, during the Japanese occupation. He was grateful for the Lord’s gracious match of a wonderful helpmate to face the challenges and discover opportunities together along life’s pathway ahead. He penned these reflections in their senior years: 

“Throughout these 41 years, my wife and I have served together in one accord ... All these years, she has been fully dedicated to the management of our home, shouldering many of the responsibilities in lovingly bringing up our children. The Lord has granted us many enjoyable years and a happy life together.”^[4]

The Lord blessed them with five children — Woon Jew Margaret, Bee Bee Rosaline, Guat Yong Ivy, Lip Tiong David and Lip Sin Andrew. Each of them testifies to their parents’ loving nurture. Each has also shared how they dedicated their lives to Jesus through their father’s ministry when they had the privilege of joining him in the mission trips to Malaya.^[5]

The privilege to preach and teach

Shortly after marriage, Yap transferred his membership to Yio Chu Kang Gospel Hall, to be a part of the fledgling assembly work. It was in this church that he preached his first sermon in early 1946, entitled, “A Born-Again Christian”.  This paved the way for further development of his spiritual gifts in preaching and teaching.

Yap began serving as an elder of Singapore Gospel Halls in the mid-1950s. It was then functioning as one local church with congregations — at Bras Bash Road, Yio Chu Kang Road and Geylang Lorong 29. He ministered in all three congregations. Soon after, the fledgling work at Bukit Panjang and the church plant at Sedenak, Johor, were added. Yap also preached in other churches at the Sunday worship services and taught at Bible camps. The increased preaching and teaching ministries meant that his schedule was usually packed, especially during weekends.

Yap was first introduced to teaching as a career when his studies were disrupted mid-way through secondary school, to help support the family. In January 1941, he began teaching at Poi Eng Public School in Nee Soon (now called Yishun). This was interrupted by the war years. Following withdrawal of the Japanese forces, Yap re-joined the staff.  His wife was also given a teaching position in the same school. Yap was pleased to serve as an educator which presented unique opportunities to lay the foundation in young lives with lasting effect. 

In December 1949, Yap was asked to be the interpreter for a well-known Bible teacher and evangelist, Brother Bakht Singh from India who was taking a series of meetings at the Christian Assembly in Wilkie Terrace. Yap had to translate simultaneously from English to Mandarin. At the close of the session, Principal Liew Yuen Sien of Nanyang Girls’ High School who was present at the gathering, approached Yap to enquire about his profession. That conversation led to his appointment as an English language teacher at Nanyang Girls despite the principal learning that Yap had never been to an English school nor did he possess the relevant educational qualifications. Principal Liew was confident that Yap was competent after having heard the excellent simultaneous translation. This paved the way for Yap to continue serving as an educator for 27 fruitful years at Nanyang Girls’ High School.

Equipped to be an interpreter

Yap’s exposure to simultaneous interpretation began in December 1946 when he was introduced to a faithful and zealous Christian, Jimmy Glover, an Irishman who was serving as a mechanical engineer at the Naval Base in Sembawang. Glover was passionate in bringing the gospel to the neighbourhood. He needed an interpreter. The introduction led to Glover and Yap forming a dedicated ministry partnership to visit neighbouring villages regularly, once or twice every week after school hours, to distribute gospel tracts and hold “open-air” gatherings in the evenings. During school vacations, the duo would travel to the southern part of Johor to preach the gospel in towns like Kota Tinggi and Mersing. This was ministry cum intensive on-the-job training for Yap. 

“Having had the privilege to interpret for brother Jimmy for a few hundred times within a short span of three years, my interpretation ministry grew by leaps and bounds.”[^[6]      

He was ever mindful of the need to faithfully steward the spiritual gifts the Lord had graciously entrusted him.

“Our gracious Lord not only endowed me with the gift of preaching but also the gift of interpretation.”^[7]

One highlight of his ministry was the privilege to serve as the interpreter for Dr Billy Graham during the Singapore National Crusade held from December 6-10, 1978. The National Stadium was filled to the brim for each of the night rallies.  The Lord was pleased to pour out His blessings. Thousands came to the Lord. General secretary, Reverend Dr Alfred Yeo, shared his observations:

“Due to Mr Yap’s thorough preparation, experience and spontaneity, he interpreted Dr Graham’s messages explicitly, fluently and powerfully.”^[8]

Yap attributed this ability to the “32 years of training”^[9]that was provided for him. 

To the regions beyond

Yap expressed that:

“Preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and testifying for the Lord has always been my heart’s life-long desire. Besides labouring for God in Singapore, I have been given many fruitful opportunities to proclaim the gospel abroad.”[^[10]

The Lord opened doors for him to serve in Peninsular Malaysia and beyond. Yap’s first involvement in a gospel mission outside Singapore was in 1962. He was the Bible camp teacher in Port Dickson and was preacher for a series of special meetings in Taiping Gospel Hall. The ministry expanded. This resulted in him taking trips to Peninsular Malaysia for preaching and teaching during the school term breaks. He recorded with thanksgiving that the Lord enabled him to conduct about “52 gospel campaigns outside Singapore”.^[11]

Invitations were also received from churches in other neighbouring countries. He was blessed to be given the opportunity to minister in Thailand, Indonesia and Taiwan.

Reverend Dr Alfred Yeo shared these thoughts in Yap’s biography: 

“Indeed, he was a man of God mightily used as the Lord’s instrument to be a blessing to the church in Singapore in the 1950s to 1980s era…”  and “he was the Lord’s chosen servant, deeply committed to evangelism and mission of the church, and unity among the churches. He has set a good example in carrying out the mission of the church to the regions beyond. It is also clear from the testimonies of his children that he gave careful attention to family nurture — fulfilling responsibilities in the home front even as he was actively extending the Kingdom of God on earth.”^[12] 

Yap Huat Tuan was true to his name. He walked with the Lord and was obedient to His commission. He completed his journey on earth on June 2, 1985.