Methodist Message: November 2021

THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE

ISSN 0129-6868 MCI (P) 027/11/2020

Vo l 1 2 3 N o 1 1 N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 1

MISSIONS

Contents 1

Bishop’s Message

2

Events—Coming Up

3

Church life—CAC Highlights

Methodist Message

6

News—MSM Conversations

9

Church Life—Bedok MC’s Food Blessing Project

10

Church Life—Prison Fellowship Singapore

needs your help! Do you have a way with words? Can you draw—on paper or in digital media? Can you design? Do you like writing? Do you take photos?

12

News—Bishop Dr Wong at the SCGM Annual Lecture 2021

13

People—Daniel Loo

16

People—Lyndon Gan

18

Reach Out—Missions

22

Reach Out—Welfare Services

26

Relationships—You & Your family

27

Hymns & Songs

We’re looking for volunteers!

Writers: to help cover events, write book reviews / poems / any other article contributions Sub-editors: to edit articles Proofreaders: to help check out layouts Photographers: to contribute photos of events they have attended Illustrators: to draw comics / infographics / anything else that might be inspiring If you have these skills, or any others that

28 Opinion—Soundings

might make MM a better read, contact us!

31

newmm@methodist.org.sg

What does being a Methodist mean to you?

32 Opinion—THINK 34

Looking Ahead

EDITORIAL BOARD

The official monthly publication of The Methodist Church in Singapore.

Published material does not necessarily reflect the official view of The Methodist Church.

Adviser and Publisher Dr Anthony Goh Chairperson Council on Communications

Editor Sheri Goh

Sub-editor

All Scripture quoted is based on the English Standard Version unless otherwise stated.

70 Barker Road #06-04 Singapore 309936 6478-4793 | 6478-4763 message.methodist.org.sg | www.methodist.org.sg newmm@methodist.org.sg

Tan Chiu Ai

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Communications Executive

@methodist.sg

Jason Woo

Proofreader Tan Sheng Ling

Design & Production by Londonbob Design Printed by Adred Creation Print Pte Ltd

Have something to say or share? Email us at newmm@methodist.org.sg

BISHOP’S MESSAGE Bishop Dr Gordon Wong was elected Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore in 2020.

He served as President of the Trinity Annual Conference from 2013–2020.

Partners in mission “Your mission, should you choose to accept it …”

When someone said “mission”, I used to imagine holy hat-wearing humans in hot and humid huts, preaching the happy Gospel of God’s love.

But, as our Methodist Missions Society (MMS) reminds us, everyone can be involved in God’s holy Mission. Here’s what I wrote on the theme of everyone being a partner in Mission, which first appeared in MMS’s Harvest Force magazine earlier this year.

The missionary apostle Paul begins his letter to the disciples in Philippi by thanking God for their “partnership in the gospel” (Phil 1:5 NIV). Every one of us can be partners in God’s Mission of sharing the Good News.

No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.

When we think about the problems that confront us, and our world, it is easy to lose heart and give up. We become paralyzed by despair. We might think, “What’s the use? I am only one person in a world of seven billion. Even if I try to do something, it won’t change anything.”

Not every local church has the budget to finance a missionary, but other churches do. And if we partner with one another, we together contribute to the wonderful work of the Gospel.

MMS would love to partner with you, and help you partner with other churches. Whether you are a local church, or an individual, there are many different possible ways in which we can be partners in the wonderful mission of sharing the Good News of God’s love in Christ Jesus. Please get in touch with MMS and explore these many different possibilities.

I was asked recently to define my understanding of success in ministry. Let me offer you an answer from Edward Hale again. “Together—one of the most inspiring words in the English language. Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”

Working together is success.

Let’s choose to accept the Mission to Love God By Loving Our Neighbours, and let’s do it together. Amen.

I confess I feel like that very often. But Max Lucado’s paraphrase of clergyman Edward Everett Hale’s exhortation spurs me on: “I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”

That is the beauty and power of partnership. I may be only one person, but if I partner with you, we are more than one. If we each do what little we can, we can do much more together. Not all of us have the aptitude or availability to be a missionary in a foreign country. But some of us do. And each of us can partner with those who are able to go out as missionaries.

Pastor Tharwin (left) and Pastor Pisut (right) baptising a member from the preaching point of Santi Methodist Church at Mae Pun Lang Village. Kampong Kapor MC is one of the churches that has partnered with MMS to plant churches, and support education and community projects in foreign mission fields METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

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Events ¢ Coming Up

O

TUNI TY TO RE CO N

CI

L

H

HELP US GIV EI N

IT

M

W

AT

S

T

HE

R PPO

E

E

ANGEL TREE RUN

LO

VED ONES !

r e h t e g o T y e n r u o J ! s U with Your donation empowers our beneficiaries towards positive change.

For every 7 km individual run registration, a 2nd run registration will be matched by us to gift and uplift an Angel Tree beneficiary. You can also select a team to run together for the 70 km team event; or the 490 km team challenge!

To get updates when the Angel Tree Run launches, do follow the PFS Facebook page by scanning the QR Code or visiting https://www.facebook.com/PrisonFellowshipSingapore/.

For more information, please contact 70x7 via https://www.70x7.sg/find-us.

#JourneyTogether

Church Life ¢ CAC Highlights By the Chinese Annual Conference (CAC) Communications Team / Photo and graphics courtesy of the CAC Communications Team, BoYM and BoSM

Affected but adapting, limited but learning LOVE EXCELLING (CHRISTIAN PERFECTION) Board of Youth Ministry Methodist Young Leaders’ Conference 2021 18–19 June 2021

T

he CAC Board of Youth Ministry (BoYM) Methodist Young Leaders’ Conference (MYLC) 2021 was held online from 18­ to 19 June this year. Participants gathered on Zoom and joined in on this conference from their homes. Organised annually by the CAC BoYM, MYLC aims to gather and build up young leaders across our various CAC Churches.

After being put on hold for the year 2020 due to Covid-19, MYLC 2021 returned with speaker Rev Wilfred Leow sharing on the theme, “Love Excelling (Christian Perfection)”. Together, a total of 167 attendees from 16 different CAC churches explored the spiritual life journey of John Wesley, the idea of Christian perfection and its biblical foundations.

We hear from those who attended MYLC 2021 on how this year’s conference went for them.

Pr Gareth Yeo, Grace MC (Mentor at MYLC 2021)

God has been real to each of their lives. The same God

“This surely won’t be very impactful.” That’s what I

is working and impacting them differently. I had the

thought when I knew that MYLC 2021 was going

opportunity to be used by God—to speak into their

to happen, but entirely on Zoom. I carried little

lives and encourage them to pursue the God I knew

expectations but tried to do my best as a mentor. I

loved them deeply. Yes, it was less than ideal and not

thought through the games, did

as impactful as an in-person conference, but it was

some

nonetheless an opportunity to see God at work—even

reading

up

on

Christian

during the pandemic through digital platforms.

perfection, prayed for my group members the day before, and wrote digital cards for them.

As

expected,

the

relationships

Elena Yeo, Telok Ayer CMC (MYLC 2021 participant) between

group

members did not grow deep over the one-and-ahalf days. However, group sharings were honest and vulnerable, and their responses

to

the

theme

talks earnest. I could sense a

kindling

of

the

group

members’ sincere desire to grow the fruit of the Spirit, and pursue lives filled with Christ’s love.

What I found most meaningful when serving as a mentor was the chance to hear how

Oh how good it is, when the family of God Dwells together in spirit, in faith and unity.

Where the bonds of peace, of acceptance and love Are the fruit of His presence here among us.

So with one voice we’ll sing to the Lord And with one heart we’ll live out His word Till the whole earth sees, the Redeemer has come For He dwells in the presence of His people.

—“Oh, How Good It Is” by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Russ Holmes & Stuart Townend Copyright © 2014 Getty Music Publishing (BMI) Parakeet Boots Music & Townend Songs

METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

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Affected but adapting, limited but learning

LET US SING HIS PRAISE

MYLC 2021 took a new turn as we moved online.

Some perks from this year’s conference include having

an

Board of Senior Ministry 33rd Anniversary Thanksgiving Celebration 7 Aug 2021

ever-active

and humorous chat that ran on the side; seeing our youths and young adults turn up punctually for each segment (we did not have to wait for the lift this

T

he Chinese Annual Conference (CAC) Board of Senior Ministry (BoSM) held their 33rd Anniversary Celebration “Let Us All Sing His

Praise” on 7 Aug 2021. Board Chair Rev Dr David Koh

time!); being able to see everyone’s faces in the group

kicked off the online event as he welcomed the many

photo, and having our unique MYLC culture hold true

seniors who have come from various CAC churches.

even though we were all online. The committee thanks everyone for their active and committed participation,

President Rev Dr Gregory Goh greeted BoSM with well

and we pray that relationships will continue to be forged

wishes. Referring to 2 Timothy 4:2, he encouraged our

across our CAC churches. Let us continue helping each

seniors to remain faithful to the Lord, to continue to

other grow in our ministries, towards Christian perfection,

grow in Christ-likeness and to hold fast to preaching

and nurture and build the younger generation.

the Truth and Love of God to the people around us, including our children and grandchildren.

Jerry, Ang Mo Kio CMC (MYLC 2021 participant)

In his sermon “Let Us All Sing His Praise”, Bishop

I am just so thankful to be able to be here this year. Thanks

Emeritus Dr Chong Chin Chung shared three out of the

to COVID-19, MYLC 2021 was indeed a little underwhelming

seven directions given by John Wesley when it comes

as compared to previous years. Yet, it was wonderfully

to singing praises to God:

timely. Instead of having three days filled with activities— intense worship, sermon sessions and exploring our

•

Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep,

beloved Johor Bahru—MYLC 2021 took a homelier turn.

but lift up your voice with strength.

I always remember having a tonne of fun meeting and

•

Sing in time. Don’t sing too slowly. Bring the

warming up to new friends in my CAC family, so it was

same energy for the subsequent verses as you did

a HUGE bummer to be unable to meet my groupmates

the first.

face to face this year. But this year, God very graciously introduced me to amazing people with such a fire for His Kingdom. They seemed shy during the games segment, but their words of prayer and encouragement, as well as their openness in sharing their woes for their sheep,

•

Above all, sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing; sing to please Him. Let your singing be such as the Lord will approve of and reward when He cometh in the clouds of heaven.

revealed their amazing hearts for Jesus!

MYLC 2021 made me revisit my faith seriously after being dulled out by the health restrictions and the start of my National Service this year. Far from the standard, sin seems to be living with me; “overcome, but not rooted out”.

However, I am reminded that sin is and can be destroyed by God’s work of sanctification, and to not let this slow period of life dictate God’s work in my life. He is still moving; He is still refining me.

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METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

CAC BoSM records two firsts in this year’s celebration: the first time it was presenting programmes mainly in Chinese dialects; and the first time having seniors present their performances online.

Various senior fellowship members from participating CAC churches read the Scriptures and presented their songs of praise in the different Chinese dialects used in their church services. Through this year’s celebration, BoSM had the opportunity to help participants hear more about the CAC churches that offer services in Chinese dialects.

Psalm 103:1–7 read in Hokkien,

Psalm 103:8–13 read in Hakka,

Psalm 103:14–18 read in Teochew,

Geylang CMC

Hakka MC

Paya Lebar CMC

“Come Before the Lord All Ye Believers” sung in Hokkien,

“We Build Our New Home Together” sung in Hakka,

“The Ever-Deepening Love of God” sung in Teochew,

Telok Ayer CMC

Hakka MC

Paya Lebar CMC

Psalm 95:1–7 read in Hokchew,

Psalm 96:1–7 read in Cantonese,

Psalm 98:1–6 read in Hinghwa,

Foochow MC

Kum Yan MC

Hinghwa MC

“The Saviour Is My Beloved” sung in Hokchew,

“In His Love and Grace” sung in Cantonese,

Ukulele song medley sung in English, Mandarin and Malay,

Foochow MC

Kum Yan MC

Grace MC

Scarf dance to “As the eagle soars”,

“O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”, CAC Virtual Choir

Ang Mo Kio CMC

—27 members from 15 CAC Churches

With a final word of thanks from Board Chair Rev Dr Koh, and blessings from President Rev Dr Goh, the celebration came to a joyous close.

You’re welcome to revisit and re-watch the celebration and programmes at https://youtu.be/Y8Hbi39Smvk or scan the QR code.

METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

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News ¢ Judith Laoyan-Mosomos is the Director for Worship and Church Music at the Methodist School of Music (MSM), and a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church. / Photos courtesy of MSM

CONVERSATIONS:

Online Worship

Insights & Reflections

“CONVERSATIONS: a series of fora aimed at providing

then was far from what we have today but the church

a platform for churches to share and discuss issues

leaders creatively used the tools and resources they had

encountered in worship and the music ministry.” This is

then. In the same way, we need to make use of the God-

a new programme which the Methodist School of Music

given gifts we have today.

(MSM) launched on 25 Sep 2021.

Justin highlighted that technology comes with a cost and The first episode featured “Online Worship: Insights

has to be used wisely, responsibly, creatively and with

and Reflections” moderated by Justin Chan, a Program

due diligence. We therefore need to be good stewards—

Executive at MSM. It was an insightful and thought-

both in finance and in practice. The financial implications

provoking conversation among two seminary professors

may be high but with proper identification of what the

and a lawyer: Rev Dr Bernard Chao (Trinity Theological

Church needs and good recommendations from the

College), Dr Calvin Chong (Singapore Bible College) and

experts, the Church will most likely acquire what is best

Justin Yeo (Queenstown Methodist Church). While all

for them. Further, Justin strongly believes that employing

three did not claim to be experts in the subject matter,

these gadgets will have to be done with the utmost care

they agreed that it is a timely and important topic that

and consulting the experts is always wise.

churches need to discuss and engage in. Three questions were brought to the table:

In order to have a smooth worship flow, Justin emphasised that the tech team needs to realise the

What is online worship at its best?

importance of reducing technical glitches. The worship

Justin Yeo expressed his opinion that online worship—

team has to engage the congregation and encourage or

like physical worship—should enable us as the Body of

enliven their participation. The worshipers in turn need

Christ to come together to bring our sacrifice of praise to

to have the proper attitude in attending worship online.

God and to glorify Him. In both practices, a proper heart

Rather than using it to fill a gap in our schedule, it is best

of worship is required for the leaders and worshipers.

to attend services regularly at a fixed time. Justin used

Justin spoke about how the Church responded to the 1918

the word “attend” and not “watch”—attending connotes

pandemic—publishing the liturgy in the newspapers and

commitment and involves participation while watching is

using the telephone to reach the people! The technology

quite passive and may tend to be consumeristic.

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METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

Taking a biblical perspective, Dr Chong referenced four scripture passages: Deuteronomy 6:4, Amos 5:21, Haggai 1:2 and Malachi 1:10. As the Shema (Deut 6:4) begins with the verb “hear”, our first duty in worship is to listen. Unless we listen first, we might get our concept(s) of worship wrong. He pointed to the messages of the Shema and the prophets Amos, Haggai and Malachi, which equate worship to loving God and being mindful of social justice. He shared an article by Craig Greenfield about how the themes of social justice and concern for the poor, widows and orphans are not quite captured in the songs we sing in worship. We might be too focused on the things we do and forget the essence of worship. Dr Chong suggested that this might be a good time to take stock of our worship music repertoire and consider adding more songs that speak of love for God and of social justice.

concern about how our practices are being informed by

Is online worship compatible with current Christian practices?

our theology and how our theology is informed by our

Dr Chong saw the pandemic situation as an opportunity

practices. He acknowledged the challenges brought about

not just to figure out how online worship should be

by online worship, i.e. the practices in physical worship

done, but also to relook at whether parts of our

that cannot be duplicated online like passing the peace

physical worship services need to be revamped. Rev Dr

and hearing one another as we sing or respond to prayer.

Chao highlighted that the Methodist movement has a

The changing landscape has called for innovations on

heritage of “de-traditioning” (for instance, John Wesley

the part of the churches. He also highlighted our limited

departed from the practice of his time by preaching

imagination of worship and Church, the digital space as a

his sermons outdoors), and so the Church ought to

new arena, our sacramental theology being challenged;

be flexible to ensure it is relevant and engaged with

and the Church’s response to the digital realm.

technology. Nonetheless, Justin Yeo cautioned that we

From a theological perspective, Rev Dr Chao raised his

have to be careful to not let online worship (which Rev Dr Chao shared his view that there are many new

started as “better than nothing”) slide into something

possibilities open for the Church to explore. These include

that is “better than everything” due to our own self-

a new space for the love and presence of God and His

interest and convenience.

people to inhabit, a “flattening” of the Church, enhanced connection and communication, and moving from Church-

Through the thought-provoking and rich discussion,

centric thinking to a mission-centric trajectory.

participants learnt much about how one could think

How do you connect online worship and the kingdom of God? Or online worship and spiritual formation?

about online worship (both theologically, spiritually and practically) and how God is present even in the digital space. He is also powerful enough to wield a medium that is often associated with the immoral and profane to

Justin Yeo pointed out that online modality allows us to

make the good news of the gospel reach to the furthest

reach people—from those who do not step into church

ends of the earth.

to those far beyond our boundaries. Dr Chong shared how technology has expanded pastoral and missional possibilities for him as he shared his experience in cocreating worship music with a large range of people across the globe. Rev Dr Chao raised an interesting insight about how we perceive the sacred and the secular, which seem to have an unnamed and underdeveloped theology.

Dr Chao believes that we need time to test, innovate, practise and create new habits in order to develop a

CONVERSATIONS may be accessed through MSM’s YouTube Channel

https://youtu.be/lQLZUgqsb0k

deeper theology of online worship.

METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

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ACS (International) Admissions Seminars for 2022 ACS (International) Singapore is a distinctive international secondary school open to all Singaporeans & other nationalities, offering an allround English-based education for students aged 12 to 18 years leading to the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).

Senior Leadership Team

Post PSLE Seminars

24 November, 2pm & 4pm

25 November, 9am & 2pm

26 November, 9am & 2pm Mr Gavin Kinch Principal

Mrs Tan Siew Hoon Vice-Principal

27 November, 9am

RSVP admissions@acsinternational.edu.sg Mr Christopher Hayward Vice-Principal

Dr Kristopher Achter Vice-Principal

Seminars will be held on Campus with school tours where possible.

Virtual seminars and tours will be organized instead if there are social gathering restrictions.

Attendance is limited and by reservations only.

Venue: Oldham Chapel, ACS (International) 61 Jalan Hitam Manis, Singapore 278475

For earlier appointments, please contact Joseph Ng or Serene Lim at +65 6472 1477 or admissions@acsinternational.edu.sg

Church Life ¢ Bedok Methodist Church Dawn Ng is a marketing director at a software company. A mother of two teenage girls, she is currently serving as treasurer for Bedok Methodist Church (BMC) WSCS. She is also part of Mustard Seeds DG. / Photos courtesy of Bedok Methodist Church

BMC members with RC representatives in Changi Village

Ps Aaron Tay receiving thank you certificate from Dr Maliki Osman

Bedok Methodist Food Blessing Project

T

he COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on many

Pastor Aaron Tay met up with the DG members and

families, upending livelihoods and causing financial

organisers and was presented with a certificate of

and emotional stress. In view of this, the Inter-

appreciation by MP for East Coast GRC Dr Maliki Osman.

Racial, Religious Confidence Circles (IRCC) has been

He also accompanied Dr Maliki to distribute the items

partnering with various religious groups to provide

to several households.

assistance to families in need.

Pastor Tay said, “If we are to be disciples of Christ, we must In conjunction with BMC’s celebration of its 75th

follow Him, to do what He does, to have His heartbeat.

anniversary in Oct 2021, a key initiative was to be an

In the Gospel, we see Jesus being full of compassion for

active and engaged partner with the community in

the lost, the vulnerable and those in need. It was so

its vicinity. In July, an opportunity to give back to the

encouraging for me to see our members being not just in

community arose when the People’s Association (PA)

DGs, but acting in faith and love together to be Christ’s

Siglap Community Centre connected BMC with IRCC for its

disciples in blessing those in need.”

food distribution initiative.

Sally Cheong of Shammah DG added, “Now with COVID,

By God’s grace, BMC’s Poor and Needy Fund gave $3,000

we have fewer opportunities to do outreach. So, this

for the Food Blessing Project. Edward Fang and Jean Wee

project was really good for us to serve together as a DG,

of the Christian Outreach & Social Concerns Committee

encouraging us to be mindful that we represent the body

spearheaded the project. They recruited members

of Christ, doing our part to help the less fortunate.”

from BMC’s Disciple Groups (DGs) and co-ordinated the purchase of items—oil, sugar, canned sardines, pasta and

“We meet regularly to study the Bible so it was great

rice—for the food packs.

to apply some of the things we learn. It was also a wonderful bonding time and served as a good reminder

On the morning of 11 Sep, 30 church members from six

that we can help others in our community,” said Mark

DGs put together 100 packs. Because of the many hands,

Wong, from Generation Transformed DG.

these packs were assembled quickly for distribution to beneficiaries in Bedok and Changi Village areas.

Looking ahead, BMC hopes to connect DGs with more charitable organisations to serve the vulnerable and

The DG members connected with the local Residents’

needy, with each group taking ownership of a charity

Committee (RC) representatives in each zone. Together,

organisation and establishing ongoing projects to build

they went door to door distributing the food packs to the

long-term relationships with beneficiaries. Sustained

beneficiary families. Praise God for the joy of witnessing

befriending enable us to gain their trust and share the

the recipients’ happy smiles!

good news of salvation with them.

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Church Life ¢ Chua Kok Wan is the Executive Director of Prison Fellowship (PFS) / Visuals courtesy of Prison Fellowship Singapore

PFS staff and volunteers

Prison Fellowship Singapore

P

rison Fellowship Singapore Ltd (PFS) is a nonprofit, inter-denominational fellowship of Christians who are committed to embracing prisoners, ex-offenders and their families in Singapore with God’s love and transformative power to turn their brokenness into wholeness.

Integrated Ministry Strategy Our work is organised into three key ministry areas of In-Care, After-Care and Family Care, which are brought together holistically under our “Integrated Ministry” strategy that was launched in 2020.

We seek to: • transform the lives of inmates, ex-offenders and their families with the Word of God and His love; •

support the rehabilitation of inmates / ex-offenders in collaboration with our After-care partners;

•

restore broken relationships between the inmates / ex-offenders and their loved ones;

•

break the inter-generational cycle of crime through befriending children of the incarcerated, counselling and other forms of support and interventions;

•

strengthen community partnerships to promote the reintegration of ex-offenders into society; and

•

rally partners and supporters to foster a vibrant After-care Support Network to address the needs of ex-offenders and their families.

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METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

Through Care Our Through Care ministry provides beneficiaries with a full range of services: •

Pre-sentence counselling for first time offenders and to their families to prepare them for incarceration.

•

In Care programmes conducted in prison, such as one-to-one counselling; weekly Chapel Services and Bible Studies; and other rehabilitative programmes.

•

Prison Gate where PFS staff or volunteers will be on hand to greet the beneficiaries at the prison gate upon release, to offer them transitional assistance as part of their reintegration into society.

•

After Care Support covers areas such as employment guidance and short-term financial assistance to support the ex-offenders’ initial transition. We provide a network of care and guidance through our weekly Men and Women Support Groups to facilitate assimilation into society in the long term.

Family Care PFS not only supports inmates and ex-offenders but we also aid their loved ones, who often find themselves saddled with unexpected concerns and problems when someone in the family is sent to prison. Apart from a sudden loss of income resulting in financial hardship, children are also separated from their incarcerated parent(s).

To help such families, volunteers from PFS’s Family Care Ministry befriend them to provide support. We believe that family is integral to an ex-offender’s reintegration journey. Hence, our programmes aim to strengthen the family unit, promote reconciliation and facilitate assimilation to the community.

Our Family Care programmes include a Care Club for children and youths, providing educational support such as tuition classes and computers to facilitate HomeBased Learning (HBL). These programmes which focus on the next generation are the only preventive work of PFS. We believe that by ensuring children remain in our education system through our one-on-one volunteer tuition programme, we have a good chance to break the inter-generational cycle of crime. In 2020, PFS had four Care Club children who completed their Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE). We were overjoyed that all four students were promoted to secondary school, notwithstanding the difficulties of having to adjust to HBL and COVID-19 challenges at home. This success was a great encouragement to everyone, especially the volunteer tutors.

However, a lack of immediate helping hands on the ministry frontlines is a cause for concern. Robin Low, our Integrated Ministry & Care Club Coordinator, recently shared that Care Club is in urgent need of more volunteer tutors to support our children and youth beneficiaries.

Around September every year, inmates are encouraged

by PFS to write letters seeking forgiveness from, and reconciliation with their family members. These reconciliatory letters will be delivered to the inmates’ families by our volunteers during Christmas. Gifts sponsored by individual and corporate supporters will accompany these letters to bring Christmas cheer to the recipients.

In 2020, close to 700 beneficiary families were blessed through the Angel Tree Project with the support of 38 churches and over 1,000 volunteers. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we are aiming to bless 800 beneficiary families in 2021.

How to be involved With over 1,000 beneficiaries to support, we certainly need more volunteer hands on deck. PFS partners with churches, para-Christian organisations and the community at large to enhance the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of men, women and their families in Singapore’s prison system before, during and after imprisonment.

While we currently have a volunteer pool of around 850 representing 170 partnering churches, we continue to welcome more to journey together with us to serve the lost, the least and the last in society. It takes the community, you and I, to make a difference in these lives, which have been adversely impacted by incarceration.

“Why do we need volunteers? Many of our beneficiaries come from broken families with low income. They do not have the privilege of sending their children for tuition, hence volunteer tutors are vital to support this work ,” explained Robin.

“When caregivers are assured that their children’s needs and education are well taken care of, they will have one less thing to worry about. Caregivers will then be able to focus on managing livelihood issues such as earning income and putting food on the table.”

The Care Club is currently seeking female tutors for primary school-going children, who can commit for at least 1 year. Interested applicants may contact Robin via his email at robinlow@pfs.org.sg.

Other than the Through Care and Family Care ministries, there are other meaningful ways that PFS supports our beneficiaries. One such way is through our annual flagship event, the Angel Tree Project, where we raise funds and awareness to support prisoners, ex-offenders and their families, instilling hope of restoring broken relationships with their loved ones.

In-Care ministry can be a wonderful opportunity for the church to serve in the mission field without leaving the country. After-Care can greatly enrich the church and bless her with the discipleship journey experience alongside fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Our Family Care is really about community outreach to those in need in our neighbourhood. We invite you to share God’s love with your local community and serve alongside us today!

Find out more about PFS or to give or volunteer, visit: https://pfs.org.sg or scan the QR Code Find out more about the Angel Tree Project at https://www.70x7.sg/angel-tree-project

METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

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News ¢ Jason Woo is Communications Executive at MCS Comms. / Photos courtesy of the Singapore Centre for Global Missions

Blessed are the Peacemakers Singapore Centre for Global Missions Annual Lecture 2021

Bishop Dr Wong preaching at the SCGM Annual Lecture 2021

2

021 marks the 41st year of the Singapore Centre for Global Missions’ (SCGM). Since its inception in 1980 by a team of local pastors and missions leaders, SCGM has played a key role in coordinating missions efforts among Singapore churches and promoting partnerships in various missions endeavours.

One of its keynote events is the SCGM Annual Lecture.

Now in its 10th edition, the Annual Lectures feature speakers who share spiritual insights on the challenges and issues that missionaries may face in the field.

Bishop Dr Gordon Wong was invited to speak at this year’s Annual Lecture, which took place on 16 Sep evening at Toa Payoh Methodist Church. The lecture, “Blessed are the Peacemakers”, was based on James 3:13–18.

Sowing in peace Bishop Dr Gordon Wong began by highlighting what Christians should not exhibit when they go about making peace. The apostle James lists two qualities that come up tops in derailing the process of peace-making: zeal and ambition. While these two traits may sometimes be desirable when doing Kingdom work, James warned specifically against zeal (or “jealousy” in some Bible translations) and ambitions that produce bitterness rather than peace.

Bishop Dr Wong explained that we should watch how we conduct ourselves when facing opposition in our work for Christ. Very often in moments of conflict where both sides see their points of view as the only truth, the situation degenerates quickly into partisanship that creates rivalry and strife.

When this happens, even if we might see ourselves as defenders of God’s truth, we are in fact, acting otherwise.

“Human anger does not produce the kind of righteousness which God desires,” said Bishop Dr Wong.

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METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

Wendy Wong doing visual notes for the lecture

In conflict management, the apostle James called on believers to rein in the impulse to use worldly wisdom and instead employ “wisdom that comes down from above” (v17). God’s peacemakers are called to “sow in peace [to] reap a harvest of righteousness”.

“The apostle James writes that heavenly wisdom or ‘the wisdom that comes down from above’ is displayed when we engage others in a peaceable tone, when we are gentle in our approach, when we show an interest in what the other side is trying to say and when we come across as compassionate and sympathetic,” explained Bishop Dr Wong.

“Have you ever been a part of a church or company, or family that has had to deal with a serious disagreement in opinion over what is the best thing to do? Would you describe the manner or tone of the discussions or letters or email that circulated over the disagreement as ‘serene, soft-spoken, sensible, sympathetic’?”

Bishop Dr Wong also emphasised the importance of how the people who the Church is trying to reach perceive our handling of disagreement and conflict. Do they see us as truly sowing in peace?

“I suspect the apostle James would prefer that we do not use the phrase, ‘to fight for God’s truth and righteousness’, instead he would perhaps prefer ‘to sow seeds for God’s righteousness’”, mused Bishop Dr Wong.

“If our mission aim is to reap a harvest of God’s righteousness and truth in the world, then let us be peacemakers who sow in peace. Blessed and wise are peacemakers who sow in peace.”

Scan the QR code to view the entire SCGM Annual Lecture 2021: Blessed are the Peacemakers.

People ¢ Pastor Daniel Loo and his wife, Sharon, are full-time missionaries under the Methodist Missions Society (MMS). They have been serving at the Little Candles Ministry in Phrao, Northern Thailand, for 14 years. Sharon also serves at the Grace International School in Chiang Mai where their children—Sammi (18), Caleb (15), Alicia (12) and Hannah (10)—currently study. They receive missionary support from Charis Methodist Church, of which they are members. / Photos courtesy of Pastor Daniel Loo

Daniel with his parents at the opening of Little Candles in 2012

A field missionary’s journey Daniel (second from left), his wife Sharon (third from right), with their four children in a family photo from Christmas 2019

Sawadee Krup.

My name is Daniel. I have been

Three years into working life, I decided to explore the

a missionary in Thailand with my wife, Sharon, and

possibility of full-time ministry. I went to Kuala Lumpur,

our children since April 2008, and under the Methodist

Malaysia, where I was invited to do an internship in youth

Missions Society (MMS) since 2016.

ministry at my fiancée’s church. We were eventually married in the church, with the commitment that we

My missions journey began as a youth leader at the

would serve the Lord as missionaries together.

South Camberwell Uniting Church in Melbourne, where I grew up after my parents emigrated from Singapore. My

Following the internship, a door opened for me to do a

pastor gave me the book, Operation World, by Patrick

short-term missions placement in Thailand under MMS at the

Johnson. It lists the religious statistics of every nation,

Rangsit Methodist Church in Bangkok. I was posted to the

and how one can pray for the evangelism of the different

Surisuksa Primary School to teach English for two months.

people groups in that country. I took it as a challenge to pray through the book, one nation a day. As I read of

There, I met a 10-year-old girl by the name of Yeen.

the challenges missionaries faced, I often found myself

Being born partially deaf, she had not learnt to speak

wiping tears from my eyes. I prayed, “Lord, if I can be of

clearly other than to babble grunts. It troubled me to see

any help, USE ME.”

her trying her hardest to be accepted by her classmates, only to be made fun of. The Lord placed in me a burden

The years of prayer passed by. At 23, after completing

to get her a hearing aid, which the doctor assessed could

my Computer Science degree and while working as a

help Yeen relearn speech.

programmer, I felt frustrated that the long hours and endless work commitments prevented me from serving the Lord more. Weekends were fully devoted to church but Monday mornings came with a sinking feeling of “if only I had more time for God”.

When I visited her home to meet her parents, I discovered that it was a makeshift house beside a rubbish tip. Upon my third visit, her mother said to me, “Now I know that your God is love, because I can see the love you have for

METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

| 13

A field missionary’s journey

my daughter.” Her words confirmed the call to missions that had been stirring in my heart since the time I was praying for the nations. She then asked me to take Yeen and her younger sister to church every Sunday, and they both came to accept Jesus into their lives. Through this experience, I began to realise that God could work through me to help more Thai children know His love.

After this assignment, I returned to Australia and enrolled myself into Bible College with the goal of going back to Thailand as a full-time missionary. The four years it took to complete the course followed by three years of serving as a youth pastor while we waited on the Lord seemed like eternity.

During this period, my thirst for missions was quenched only through short-term mission trips to Thailand twice a year. One particular trip almost changed my mind. After an exhausting three days of school teaching in an impoverished rural village in north-eastern Thailand, I retired that moonless night to use the toilet. As I gazed down the dugout hole, engulfed by the total darkness of a suffocating tin shed, using one hand to swipe at mosquitoes and the other to hold a torch so I could keep an eye out for invading cockroaches, all the while clenching a roll of toilet paper between my teeth to keep it from falling to the muddy ground, I thought, “I am never ever coming back here again.”

Daniel preaching at Little Candles

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But even as I locked my eyes on a giant rainbow-

many tests to determine how to remove the AVM.

coloured lizard staring at me from the corner, I heard the

Yet it was also a time that brought our family closer

Lord responding, “This is nothing compared to what you

together and rooted deeper our trust in the Lord, as

and your family will have to go through for My sake”. It

well as brought many concerned supporters to our

was enough to remind me that my life belonged to Him

help. We finally settled for open skull surgery which

and not to myself.

was successfully performed out five months after the initial incident.

It was seven years of waiting and preparation before the Lord finally opened the door for us to move to Thailand.

As we look back over our 14 years in Thailand, one passage

We set up base in a small rural village called Phrao,

of Scripture stands out as our source of encouragement

100km north of Chiang Mai. Our first project was to

and strength all along. It is God’s promise to His people

establish a boarding house for hill tribe children from

in the midst of their struggles in a foreign land: “For I

remote villages so that they could attend local schools.

know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you

Looking back , the years of waiting were vital in preparing

us.

Indeed,

we

have

faced

hope and a future.” (Jer 29:11)

numerous

challenges far worse than toilet concerns, especially in our initial years of struggling with the language and cultural sensitivities. At the same time, we have been blessed by the many Thais the Lord sent to help and even protect us from those seeking to harm us and our ministry.

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One of the challenges which almost forced us off the field was finding a stable education arrangement for our “Serving families for abetween decade and more...” children, who had been jumping homeschooling

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and local schools. Yet it was our eldest daughter’s

O nly one life, a few brief years,

enrolment into a local kindergarten when we first

Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; Each with its days, I must fulfill, Christian school eventually. living for self or in His will; Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, After only a week , we were troubled to heardone Sammi Only what’s for Christ willteaching last. the children in their kindergarten in 2013 Sharon arrived in Phrao that paved the way for us to establish a

- C.T. Studd

chanting, often unconsciously, prayers of the local

religion after getting home each evening. It then dawned on us that we should start our own school to teach the children prayers and songs of praise to our Lord Jesus instead. Thus, we set up a small nursery which grew into a kindergarten, and is now in the process of being extended into a primary school by MMS. At the same time, we formed a parents and staff

O

nly one life, a few brief years, fellowship group which has now grown into a fully

Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; Each with its days, I must fulfill, living for self or in His will; In January 2021, tragedy struck . Sammi suffered a Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, brain hemorrhage and had a seizure.Only We rushed what’s her done for Christ will last. registered Methodist church.

to hospital only to discover that she had an abnormal

- C.T. Studd

tangle of blood vessels (an AVM), which had burst.

Although the bleeding stopped, the AVM could rupture again at any moment. The following months were clouded with fear and uncertainty as she went through

Sammi at the hospital

METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

| 15

People ¢ Lyndon Gan is a Lay Ministry staff at Kampong Kapor Methodist Church serving in the area of missions since 1994. / Photos courtesy of Lyndon Gan

Church families getting involved in missions.

KKMC WSCS demonstrating how to make lo hei to the Lahu ladies of Water of Life Methodist Church (Thailand) in 2018

Serving in missions in a local church How did you get involved in missions?

Fresh out of university in the late 1980s, I had a vague sense of wanting to be involved in God’s mission.

The bible was clear enough in Matthew 28:18­–20: Make disciples of all nations. How would I, as a fresh graduate with my whole life ahead of me, respond?

It was during the era when the Church heard the clarion call: There are unreached people groups with little or no access to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many such people groups were found on the so-called 10/40 Window—a term coined by the Christian missionary Luis Bush in 1990 to refer to places located between 10 and 40 degrees north of the equator, where people had the least access to the Christian message.

The Methodist Church in Singapore also seemed to be gearing up to a new era of missions endeavour when the Methodist Missions Society was inaugurated on 30 September 1991 as an agency under the then Council of Missions.

There was a buzz around the Christian churches about missions as well, leading to the first GoForth Missions conference in 2002.

My circle of friends involved in missions tried to model our lives under the watchword “preparing to go”. For me,

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METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

it meant getting a few years of work experience before getting theologically equipped in Trinity Theological College (TTC).

While studying at TTC, my then pastor, the late Rev Dr Clarence Lim, made a case that I should also get some experience working in a local church, particularly in the area of missions. I felt that made sense. I thought I would work in the local church for a few years at most before heading overseas for cross-cultural missions.

However, much as I prayed about going overseas, it was the conviction to stay and serve the local church in missions that grew stronger. I became convinced that for a church to be effective in sending cross-cultural missionaries, there had to be a strong sending base of partners who would provide the prayer, logistical, communications, financial and moral support.

To develop such a base of supporters, we need to educate and expose church members to missions. To challenge people to become cross cultural missionaries, we need to mobilise the Church. There is also the need to develop the administrative structures to support the missions endeavour.

In short, I became persuaded that for a local church to have a sustained involvement in God’s world missions, a lot of missions work had to be done in the local church.

Do you feel any regret at not becoming an overseas cross-cultural missionary?

What is some of the work in missions that needs to be done in the local churches?

Initially, some friends who had become cross-cultural missionaries abroad would ask why I was still hanging around in Singapore when there was so much to be done in the overseas fields.

Perhaps now more than ever, there is work to be done in mobilising the home base for missions and raising new missionaries.

They are certainly right that the fields are indeed ripe for the harvest and the best way to bring the gospel to people is to live among them.

However, the question may also betray a misconception that the cutting edge of missions is undertaken by those who go while those who serve as senders are somehow playing a lesser role. Further down at the bottom of the scale would be the disobedient uninvolved Christians who neither go nor send.

However, Romans 10:14–15 tells us that those who send are as important as those who go.

But how can they call on him to save them unless

The global pandemic and hostility to Christianity in some parts of the world have perhaps made churches more riskaverse in the sending of missionaries. When is “safety first” a prudent and wise course of action and when does it cross over to become an idol and obstacle to missions?

Does “safety first” betray a lack of confidence in God? That there is no easy answer shows that apart from just being a “goer”, there is work to be done in missions.

What are some of the joys you experience in working in missions in the local church?

One of the joys of working in the home base is to see Christians embrace their identity as God’s children sent into the world. When this happens, it is like mobilising 100 firefighters to put out the fire rather than me going as a lone firefighter.

they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?

And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

It can be crippling and even guilt-inducing for some Christians when their involvement in missions is reduced to whether they are a “goer” or a “sender”.

More important than what we do is our identity. As children of God, we are citizens and agents of God’s kingdom. That means every single one of God’s sons and daughters is sent to live our lives in such a way that people can clearly see what it means when Jesus is indeed king. This is our missions identity and it is not limited to those who cross cultural and linguistic barriers to proclaim the gospel. All of us are sent on God’s mission, undertaking the Great Commission. As long as we live out that identity, we should not feel that we are not playing our part.

We should not downplay the many challenges that those who are called to go face. The best way to bring the gospel of Jesus to those who have not heard is to live among them, but more importantly, I believe that all of us should be prepared to go wherever God calls us. For me, that call has been to work in missions in the home base.

Another joy is to see how my church has developed mission trip programmes that see children, youth and adults make annual mission trips. These mission trips have supported our Lahu missions and helped to build bridges of friendship between my church members and the Lahu people we work with. Starting work from a single village in 1998, we have helped to establish three Lahu Methodist churches that are on the way to becoming disciple-making churches themselves.

Over the years we have also supported our church members and sent them as missionaries all over the world.

As some of our missionaries return, retire or move on to new stages in life, it is also a joy to see them re-enter well.

Some of the joys of working in missions in the local church is to see members growing in their involvement in missions, such as in this missions education and exposure workshop in 2018

METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

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Reach Out ¢ Missions The article is extracted from Harvest Force 2021 issue 3

MMS

provides widening opportunities in the harvest fields—evangelising, equipping and nurturing new believers, making disciples, establishing mission endeavours, and church planting.

•

Opportunities

to serve

We believe it is God’s timing for The Methodist Church in Singapore to move up to the forefront of missions. With more Spirit-led “open doors” before us, let us step forward to join other Methodists in missions to touch and transform lives of those needing the Lord Jesus Christ.

Mission Partners & Volunteers (MPV) is a special group of people who are willing to be used

by God—to bring His blessings with a greater potential at a larger extent of outreach!

IN THE FIELD The fields are ready for harvesting—but there are so few labourers. In the seven countries that MMS is serving, we continue to be needful for the following:

•

Full-time missionaries. We are asking the

CAMBODIA •

Secondary and primary school teachers to teach at as well as empower teachers at the Methodist School of Cambodia especially in Science, Mathematics, etc.

•

Human Resource, Admin and Finance Personnel to serve at the school.

•

Prayer and financial supporters for pastors of the Methodist Church of Cambodia, who are receiving below the national minimum wage.

•

Missionaries who seek to be disciple makers.

Lord to send pastors, church planters, ministry workers, mentors and teachers.

•

Short-term workers who are able to spend between two weeks and six months to help our missionaries. Please raise your own financial support.

•

Prayer partners to pray for our ministries and missionaries.

What to do if you sense the LORD calling you into His mission field:

EAST ASIA

•

Speak with your pastor and ask them to help examine your calling to missions.

•

Professional trainers to conduct enrichment courses, leadership development, young adult counselling.

•

If your church pastor and leaders affirm your calling and are prepared to support—praise the Lord! Call MMS straight away.

•

Partners to support social work and community development programme, especially for medical services.

•

If your church pastor and leaders affirm your calling but are unable to provide full financial support for you—call MMS anyway!

Some of our missionaries are supported by the combined efforts of multiple Methodist

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METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

LAOS •

Fulltime personnel to serve in Singapore Mission School (SMS) and develop partnerships.

•

Kindergarten and Primary teachers familiar with the Singapore curriculum to teach at SMS. Teachers can opt to serve a one-year term or longer.

NEPAL

VIETNAM

•

Donors and sponsors for the Sophia’s Home girls who are continuing their studies in various disciplines in the local university in Kathmandu. This enables them to complete their professional studies, be financially independent, serve their communities and MCN, and be blessings to many.

•

•

Trainers to conduct online training on Discipleship, Financial Stewardships and Spiritual Leadership.

An Assistant Pastor (with theological qualifications, with at least a Diploma in Bible and Christian Ministries); Pastoral Assistant; and Ministry Staff (experienced Bible Study group leader without theological qualifications) with a willing heart to learn and understudy to serve in International Christian Fellowship (ICF) and MMS-International NGO.

•

Tentmakers; Business People; Social Entrepreneurs; English and/or Chinese Language Teachers qualified to teach TEFL/TESOL; and Professionals to worship and serve in ICF while working in HCMC.

•

Missionary to serve in Nepal.

THAILAND •

Short-term helpers to organise programmes and activities for BB, GB and Children’s Ministry at Rangsit and Song-Roi Phee tuition centres.

•

Qualified Kindergarten and Primary levels teachers to conduct teachers’ training at Vineyard Methodist School and Little Candles Methodist School.

•

Mission teams to conduct evangelistic events, community services, etc at our Methodist churches.

TIMOR-LESTE •

Teachers to volunteer for one year to provide instruction for students in Grades 7 to 12 at the St Paul Methodist School (SPMS), or mentor local teachers in basic curriculum design and instructional strategies for at least a month.

•

Short-term volunteers to provide English, Science, or Mathematics tuition for Grade 10–12 students in the Sundermeier Home.

•

More sponsors are needed for students enrolled at SPMS and high school residents at Sundermeier Home. Please support the MMS Student Sponsorship Scheme (SSS) for children and youth from poor families.

Exploration of New Geographical Missions Partnerships (NewGMP) •

•

MMS is exploring collaborative partnership with local Methodist churches in countries such as Indonesia and Myanmar.

If the Lord is leading you to serve in places beyond the seven countries where MMS has some form of ministry, please get in touch with us.

AT HOME (in Singapore) You can also come alongside as Mission Partners and Volunteers (MPV) at home to encourage and empower God’s work and workers to incarnate the love of Jesus Christ to make a difference in the mission fields.

Communications and Publications •

Be an English-Chinese translator.

•

Be a photographer or videographer.

•

Be a graphic designer.

•

Be a web designer.

Office Assistance •

Be our MMS Event Coordinator.

•

Be part of our Fund Raising Team.

•

Be our Fellowship Mailer Team.

Financial Assistance • Be a sponsor through the Student Sponsorship Schemes.

For more information about these opportunities, kindly email

mms@methodist.org.sg. Be in prayer

with us as we seek God’s direction to challenge and mobilise our Methodist community to serve Christ.

METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

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Reach Out ¢ Missions Cheryl Chen is currently a home-based missionary with the Methodist Mission Society (MMS). She worships at Aldersgate Methodist Church with her husband, Rudy. Together, they seek to live out God’s great adventure wherever He calls, and dream of building a rock-climbing wall in their home someday. / Photos courtesy of Cheryl Chen

Home-based missions Mentoring and teaching digitally

L

ife has changed dramatically since 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic caught the world unawares. In a time of restricted air travel when mission teams are grounded, how can we continue to be involved in

reaching the nations?

Exploring how digital missions could work , Rev Dr Lorna Khoo of Holland Village Methodist Church (HVMC) recruited volunteers from different churches in Singapore to tutor students of St Paul Methodist School (SPMS) in Timor-Leste. In March 2021, the eight volunteers began meeting with their student once or twice weekly for an hour and a half over Zoom

MMS missionary Ch

eryl Chen

or WhatsApp video call to coach them individually in

Christian education and mentoring also take place

English or Mathematics. Today, the pool of tutors has

as most sessions begin with prayer and a short

expanded to 26 volunteers, which translates to having

devotion. The tutors exemplify Christian values in their

80 per cent of the SPMS Grade 10 to 12 SPMS students

interactions with the students. Some tutors, like Peter

engaged in one-on-one personalised learning.

from Aldersgate Methodist Church, use the Bible as a text to teach English. Peter, who at 83 is the most senior

Some volunteers are retired educators. Ebenazer from

volunteer, hopes this approach can help his student

St Paul’s Church wanted to use her years of teaching

to learn the language and “better understand the

experience “to help children who do not have the

Christian way of life, grow spiritually, and understand

same chances as our children” in Singapore. Other

the teachings of Christ”.

volunteers have full-time studies or jobs but choose to give their time to be involved in this new home-based

However, digital missions has its challenges too.

approach to missions. As Hannah, 17, from HVMC said,

Unstable internet connections and the lack of smart IT

“I decided to volunteer because God prompted me to

devices are part of the inherent infrastructure issues.

share my time and knowledge with underprivileged

Most Timorese do not have laptop computers and often

kids. Although schoolwork is piling up, I think this is a

one mobile phone is shared among a family, which

very good way for me to develop the habit of giving

limits students’ access to online learning. Yet, as

with a cheerful heart.”

Suat Khoh from Paya Lebar Chinese Methodist Church shares, the “poorer communication and limitations

With a heart to serve, many volunteers just want to

in explanation due to distance learning” has helped

“help someone to be able to do better in their studies,”

“shake us out of Singapore comfort zones to bear fruits

as Boon Hwee, a senior manager worshipping at

of patience and perseverance”.

Wesley Methodist Church, puts it. With God’s help, all these humble heartfelt intentions can go a long way in

Home-based missions might sound paradoxical but

helping build a young nation through sowing into each

loving our neighbour is still possible with the help

individual student.

of technology and a willing heart. If you would like to volunteer as a tutor, donate a pre-loved device

In a time of school closures in Timor-Leste to manage

(laptop, tablet, smart phone) or contribute your

the spread of COVID-19, the digital tuition programme

time and expertise in any way, drop us an email at

also complements and reinforces the students’ home-

heart4timor@gmail.com to find out more about

based learning with a coach who can provide timely

how you can be involved in home-based missions!

feedback on their work. SPMS Principal David Chan believes that the personalised coaching stretches and challenges his students academically in ways that

PLEASE PRAY •

for the SPMS students who are in the digital tuition programme. May they continue to be keen to learn.

•

for the serving volunteers to persevere in their good work.

taking ownership over their learning by keeping their

•

for more volunteer tutors.

virtual appointments with their tutors.

•

for God’s provision of the resources for this digital tuition programme.

would not be possible in a large classroom setting.

In addition to the increased exposure of speaking and learning in English, students are also practising values and life skills of being responsible and diligent, and

METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

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Reach Out ¢ Welfare Services By the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Communications Team / Photos courtesy of MWS

Doing good from 2,700km away Running to empower more than 8,500 beneficiaries of MWS

D

espite being away from Singapore, two teams established by Singapore Methodist churches in partnership with the Methodist Missions Society (MMS) and based in Timor-Leste have signed up for the MWS Empowerun. A virtual run/walk event, MWS Empowerun is a platform to fundraise $600,000 that will go towards blessing over 8,000 beneficiaries served by MWS.

St Paul Methodist School

Never too young or too far to make an impact Another group that shares this desire to bless is the team from St Paul Methodist School (SPMS). A team of Timorese staff and students from SPMS are planning to complete 400km collectively in four hours, by running in teams of four, each covering 40km.

Dunamis Hostel ministry

Blessed to be a blessing One of the teams is formed by the residents of Dunamis Hostel, a ministry of MMS and Bedok Methodist Church that has enabled youths in rural areas to access higher education and pursue their dreams. Being recipients of kindness, the residents are eager to give back by raising funds for Methodist Welfare Services (MWS).

“The hostel residents have registered for MWS Empowerun because they desire to share their blessings with students in need, and families who are struggling to place food on the table,” shares Rev See Swee Fang, overseer of the Dunamis Hostel ministry.

They are led by a faithful missionary family from Aldersgate Methodist Church, David and Jessie Chan and their three children, Isaac, Joy and Isaiah. The students at SPMS have been encouraged to do their best with whatever they have.

David and Jessie see MWS Empowerun as a great opportunity for SPMS staff and students to be a part of God’s bigger picture to make an impact by blessing the last, the lost and the least. Whether as a runner, donor or fundraiser, students at SPMS are learning that they are not too insignificant or far away make be a positive impact.

“We believe that everyone can give. The Timorese may not have the capacity to give financially, but they can give their energy by running and raising funds. We run, you give!” says David.

Give generously With no time to lose, the 12 residents at Dunamis Hostel have been building up their stamina for the run, and giving praise and glory to God as they train hard. For the actual run, the residents will cover a coastal trail from their hostel to Cristo Rei, a famous scenic spot, in two groups.

Just as our fellow brothers and sisters in Timor-Leste have recognised their God-given blessings and stepped up to give back in their own ways, may we be inspired to give generously and support those in need. Your donations will go towards uplifting the low-income and/or distressed families, disadvantaged children, at-risk youths, the destitute, sick and/or frail elderly, and the socially isolated, regardless of their race and religion.

MWS Empowerun To donate and find out more about MWS Empowerun, please visit

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www.mws.sg/ empowerun

METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

or scan the QR code.

Reach Out ¢ Welfare Services By the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Communications Team / Photo courtesy of MWS

MWS at 40 An MWS staff talks about the privilege of caring for and empowering palliative patients in their final days.

.

This year, Methodist Welfare Services celebrates 40 years of empowering life to the full. This is one of a series of stories from people who felt empowered to empower others through MWS over the years. Get involved and join MWS in empowering lives. Learn more by visiting https://mws.sg/mws40th/

s an Assistant Nurse Clinician with MWS Home Care & Home Hospice, Melissa Fong cares for clients ranging from those who are socially isolated to those who are frail and facing the end of their lives. In all her years in palliative care, she has had her fair share of deeply emotional encounters, difficult conversations about pain and death, and faithaffirming moments.

The calling to be a nurse came when Melissa joined St John Ambulance Brigade at Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ Secondary School and had the opportunity to be attached to a hospital.

“I remember shadowing nurses as they went about their ward duties, feeling very intrigued. So I resolved to join the healthcare sector one day… it didn’t matter what role it was!” laughed Melissa. Upon graduating from university, she did a two-and-a-halfyear stint at a local hospital but felt she wanted more autonomy in her patients’ clinical care. Following a mission trip to Indonesia, she felt a prompting to go into home care and in 2014, joined Methodist Welfare Services as a home hospice staff nurse.

“One of the most common questions that patients and their families ask is: ‘How long more do I have?’

Sometimes, the patient may not really want to know the answer. More often than not, the patient is acutely aware of their deteriorating health condition, and the truth can be hard to bear. In times like this, I may encourage the patient to ponder over their feelings and come to terms with the end of his life. At other times, a comforting presence or a reassuring pat is all that is needed,” shared Melissa.

Beyond attending to medical and nursing needs, Melissa often finds herself drawn into the sphere of patients’ private lives.

“When I was caring for a patient who had been diagnosed with nose cancer, his initial complaints were about his excruciating pain and giddiness. Yet, he would always resist pain medications. As we continued building rapport with him, he began to open up and we realised he was holding on to a massive amount of guilt towards his family and his past.

It soon became apparent that much of his physical pain and the caregiver’s

Melissa Chatting with Patient

A

stress stemmed from deep-rooted, unresolved issues within the family. As his condition was rapidly deteriorating, we had to race against time to help him and his caregiver reconcile. With the chaplain’s help, we managed to do so before he passed on peacefully and freely,” Melissa recounted.

Over the years, she has learnt to cope with grief and the loss of patients. “My family and church community have been great pillars of support whenever I encounter seasons of distress,” said Melissa. Journaling has also been helpful as it forces her to be “utterly honest with myself and God”.

Melissa revealed that what keeps her going is remembering God’s call to care for those in need, and her privileged position to do so because of her professional training. “To be able to journey with the patients and their caregivers, holding their hands when they feel lost and hopeless, right till the end... I’m glad to be given a glimpse of their world. Watching our chaplains minister to the patients’ spiritual needs and how some of them have resultantly experienced physical relief has also helped me appreciate the many dimensions of life and what being human really means.”

METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

| 23

Reach Out ¢ Welfare Services By the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Communications Team

MWS

holds 40th AGM and marks 40 Years of Empowering Life

2

021 marks the 40th Anniversary of Methodist

began as the Methodist Home for the Aged Sick at St

Welfare Services (MWS). In a year plagued by

George’s Lane for six elderly sick residents has today

the persistent global COVID-19 crisis, we put our

grown to a network of 20 centres and programmes,

trust in God’s providence and are thankful for what we

serving over 8,000 beneficiaries.

have achieved for the financial year (FY) 2020/21. MWS Chairperson, Mrs Fong Loo Fern, and Chief Executive

Because of the pandemic, volunteers have become

Officer, Ms Junie Foo, presented the key highlights

even more invaluable in supporting MWS’ work. In

and achievements at our 40th Annual General Meeting

FY2020/21, MWS formed the Volunteer Leaders Support

(AGM), held on 18 Sep 2021.

Group where identified volunteer leaders guide other volunteers and shared best practices in volunteering. In

Mrs Fong began by acknowledging the pioneer group

addition, MWS launched the Befriender’s Toolkit and the

of Methodist volunteers who first saw the needs in the

MWS Community Portal, a one-stop online platform that

community and answered the call to set up MWS. What

offers volunteers a holistic view of their volunteering

journey. The first ever Timebanking Rewards Programme was also introduced, allowing volunteers to bank in their volunteering

NEW AND RE-ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS

hours and redeem them for rewards.

Despite the challenges presented in the past FY, MWS served almost 8,800 persons, which represented a 5 per cent increase in the number of direct clients and service counts. In particular, there was a 35 per cent increase in the number of low-income families who approached MWS for financial assistance. Almost $2 million was disbursed to low-income families across Singapore

BOARD OF GOVERNANCE

in FY2020/21. MWS Family Service Centres also worked with the

(2021­­– 2023)

government and other public agencies to rehouse individuals made homeless when the pandemic first broke out.

Against the very challenging economic climate, MWS achieved commendable results by raising $13.8 million. We continued to maintain a very efficient fundraising cost ratio of 4.8 per cent,

Chairperson Mrs Fong Loo Fern Vice Chairperson Mr Lam Wei Choong

which means that 95 cents of every dollar went directly to MWS centres and programmes.

Honorary Secretary Mr Raymond Khoo Peng Ann

To do good well, MWS is also always expanding to meet the growing community needs. In July 2020, MWS embarked on a partnership with Christalite Methodist Chapel to manage MWS Christalite Student Care Centre. The Centre provides affordable student care services for seven- to 14-year-olds in Geylang East. MWS also won a Ministry of Health tender in June 2020 which will see us operate a new Senior Care Centre and Nursing Home at Eunos. The new Senior Care Centre is expected to begin operations in early 2022 while the new Nursing Home is slated to open in 2023. These new services will enhance MWS’ continuum of eldercare services in the community.

At the AGM, new Board of Governance office holders and members for the new two-year term were also elected. CEO Ms Junie Foo expressed immense appreciation to several former MWS board members who have stepped down, namely Rev Dr Daniel Koh, Mr Eugene Toh, Mr Robin Cheong, Mr Albert Lim and Mr Wendell Wong, for their years of faithful service. Although Rev Dr Koh, Mr Toh and Mr Lim will no longer be on the main Board of Governance, they will continue to serve in our Centre Governance Committees and other committees.

For details, please see the

MWS ANNUAL REPORT FY2020/21

Assistant Honorary Secretary Ms Mak Wei Munn Honorary Treasurer Mr Tan Chian Khong Assistant Honorary Treasurer Mr Terence Wee Jin Zoo Board Members Mr Yow Chi Mun Dr Tan Hai Chuang Ms Joanne Low Eu Min Ms Chew Kim Ling Mr Philip Oh Co-opted Board Members Rev David Gwee Hock Soon Rev Jason Phua Kok Yong Mr Soh Kok Leong Mr Samuel Tay Mr Wilson Sampath Dr Teo Li Bee Representative, The Methodist Church in Singapore Mr Darius Chua

by scanning the QR code, visiting

https://mws.sg/annual-governance-reports/ or checking out our microsite at

Secretary of the Trustees of The Methodist Church in Singapore Mr Guan Yeow Kwang

https://mws.sg/annual-report-fy2020-21/ Find out more about our 40th Anniversary celebrations and how you can be a part at www.mws.sg/mws40th/ METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

| 25

Relationships ¢ You & your family Benny Bong has been a family and marital therapist for more than 30 years, and is a certified work-life consultant. He was the first recipient of the AWARE Hero Award, received in 2011, and is a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.

Social distancing

and safe connections

T

he COVID-19 pandemic has affected us in so many

and others have attended more Zoom-facilitated talks

ways. Around the world, millions of deaths have

and church meetings. But this access is not available to

been reported and an unknown number suffer

everyone. Nor is everyone comfortable with technology-

the ravages of long COVID. The economy has been in a

mediated interactions. Moreover, being able to meet

tailspin with businesses shutting down, many losing jobs

someone over coffee or to reach out and comfort another

and others forced into unpaid leave for months on end.

with a gentle touch is irreplaceable.

As I am not a medical expert, I am not going to speculate

Another truth is that though this pestilence is not

if and when Singapore’s COVID-19 case numbers might rise

specifically named in the Bible, this crisis—like many

or fall. Amidst the cacophony of opinions and predictions

others that make the news today—have all been foretold.

of how things will pan out as well as the shifting sea of

Have we not been warned “of wars and rumours of war”

information that has left many confused and despairing,

(Matt 24:6)? In the midst of all the cataclysmic news is

it is helpful to be reminded of some truths or things that

the reassurance that nothing is out of God’s control and

do not change.

everything is according to His plan before Christ’s return.

An area where many have been hit, and in which I have

Another truth to hold on to is God’s promise in Jeremiah

some expertise, is our emotional and mental health.

29:11—“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the

Anxiety, depression and interpersonal conflicts have risen

LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a

as a consequence of living in such trying times. One big

hope and a future.” If we believe our Lord’s Word to be

contributor to these ills is the uncertainty and loss of

true, we can have hope. What I am suggesting is not that

control over the future. These are factors we may not be

we bury our heads in the sand pretending that there is no

able to address directly or any time soon.

pain or suffering as long as we do not see it. We must not lose sight of the reality that hard times are upon us but

However, what compounds mental ill-health is the loss of

can be confident that even now, there is hope for a people

social contact and connection as face-to-face interaction

with a future with God.

with family and friends has had to be cut back to protect ourselves and others. This brings to mind the truth that as

The focus of this issue of Methodist Message is missions.

human beings, we are made for connection; that within us

We do not have to look far to see opportunities for missions.

is a special need for relationships.

Our mission should be to bring the message of His love to the many we know who are disconnected, to those who

In these times of social distancing, some of us are fortunate

are feeling lonely and discouraged. Whilst observing the

to be able to harness technology to stay connected. In

rules for engaging others safely, let us safely connect so

fact, some have reached out to distant family members

that others may also connect with Him.

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METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

Hymns & Songs ¢ Justin Chan is a Programme Executive at Methodist School of Music, Worship & Worship Department. As a reformed rock musician, he believes hymns and heavy metal can co-exist for the glory of God.

Shout to the Lord

I

once had an opportunity to serve as a musician on a mission trip worship team during the Christmas period. We were invited to lead a rally at the host church, and our worship leader planned a setlist of songs matching the message. After all, that’s the hallmark of a good program: a seamless, integrated experience from start to finish. However, when we met with the fellow musicians from the host church for rehearsal, as it was going to be a combined team, their worship leader looked at our “perfect” setlist and politely remarked, “We don’t know any of these songs. May we suggest songs we know?”

Just like that, all our planning and pre-mission trip rehearsals went out the window.

I was bracing myself for a sleepless night of listening and practicing, but when the revised setlist came back to us, we were pleasantly surprised: the host church’s core repertoire consisted of songs from 20 years ago, songs that we all grew up with and could play from memory. But a voice was nagging at the back of my head: “The songs don’t match the message at all!”

Trusting in our hosts, we went ahead with their setlist. And when it came to the rally, the experience was electrifying. I had never seen people sing with such gusto and excitement, jumping as high as they could, belting at the top of their lungs.

And it all came to a climax with “Shout to The Lord”, a song that we musicians, if we’re honest, roll our eyes at because of how clichéd we feel it has become.

But there was something different about that rendition we led at the rally. Aside from hearing it in their native tongue, the atmosphere was bursting with deep spiritual hunger for God’s presence. We didn’t have to understand what the people were saying—we could see it on their faces, we could hear it from their loud voices resonating through the worship hall, and we could feel it as they raised their hands or bowed their knees. There were so many responses to the calls of salvation and recommitment that I wondered if the response would have been different had we insisted on our initial setlist, as polished and seamless as it was.

“Shout To the Lord’” is still in the CCLI Top 100 list, and is one of the most widely translated songs today. Its lyrics declare Jesus as the incomparable ruling Saviour who comforts, shelters and performs wonders. He is worthy of the praise given to Him by all creation, bringing Him glory, and the themes of the song are easy for unbelievers to comprehend due to the accessible language of the lyrics. Worship teams will do well to memorise this song so that they can play it without practice in the mission field!

In time to come, when we can cross borders to share the gospel again, let us exercise greater care in our mission trip song choices, with a flexibility to change our well-crafted plans if the situation calls for it.

The Methodist School of Music (MSM) equips and edifies both the individual and the church through music and the performing arts.

Find out more at msmusic.edu.sg.

Shout to the Lord My Jesus, my Saviour, Lord there is none like You All of my days I want to praise the wonders of Your mighty love My comfort, my shelter, tower of refuge and strength Let every breath, all that I am never cease to worship You Shout to the Lord all the Earth, let us sing Power and majesty, praise to the King Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of Your name I sing for joy at the work of Your hands Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand Nothing compares to the promise I have in You Words & Music: Darlene Zschech © 1993 Wondrous Worship (1993) (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd [Singapore Branch])

METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

| 27

Opinion ¢ Soundings Dr Roland Chia is Chew Hock Hin Professor of Christian Doctrine at Trinity Theological College and Theological and Research Advisor at the Ethos Institute for Public Christianity (http://ethosinstitute.sg).

Salvation in the City “Soundings” is a series of essays that, like the waves of a sonogram, explore issues in society, culture and the church in light of the Gospel and Christian understanding.

T

he

enigmatic

The Book of Acts gives an account of the first missionary

phenomenon. A conglomeration of a myriad of

modern

city

is

a

complex

and

activities of the early Christians who have been empowered

different people groups, cultures and languages, the

by the Spirit on the day of Pentecost to be witnesses

city often defies simple characterisations.

of the risen Saviour. And many of these were what we would describe today as urban missions.

What the American philosopher, Lewis Mumford, wrote about the city some 60 years ago still holds true today:

The apostle Paul conducted missionary activities in some of the most prominent cities of his day: Athens (the

No

single

definition

will

apply

to

all

its

intellectual centre of the Graeco-Roman world), Corinth

manifestations and no single description will

(one of the most successful commercial hubs), Ephesus

cover all its transformations, from the embryonic

(the religious “capital” of the Roman Empire) and Rome

social nucleus to the complex forms of its maturity and the corporeal disintegration of its old age.

The origins of the cities are obscure, a large part

(the political powerhouse of the Roman world).

Paul understood the importance of cities and their influence in the surrounding regions and made it his main

of its past buried or effaced beyond recovery, and

strategy to bring the Gospel to these urban centres. As

its further prospects are difficult to weigh.

John Stott has rightly observed, “It seems to have been

1

Paul’s deliberate policy to move purposefully from one Some readers may not be aware that the Bible contains

strategic city-centre to the next.” 2

numerous mentions and descriptions of cities. The word itself occurs some 1,250 times, and about 140 different

The Church’s ministry in the city is multi-faceted and complex

cities are cited.

because the city is an intricate and constantly morphing

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Check out details for this job opportunity at https://tinyurl.com/dmsatmcs or scan the QR code >> ABOUT MCS The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) is a connectional church comprising the General Conference, three Annual Conferences, local churches, and various agencies and organisations. The General Conference (GC) is the highest body of the MCS, responsible for legislation, policy, and the overseeing of its various agencies, including the programme agencies responsible for education, missions, and welfare services .

www.methodist.org.sg

mosaic. The city presents the many hues and shades of

and Patrick Miller define Shalom as “a harmonious,

what may be broadly described as the human condition,

properly functioning, life-giving order to society”. 4

depicting both the majesty and the misery of man.

And because Shalom can only be achieved when human The city is full of energy and vitality, a bustling hub of

beings are rightly related to God, the Church must pray

human activity and social intercourse. But it is also a place of

for the spiritual transformation by the power of God of

profound loneliness and alienation for some of its dwellers.

every city-dweller, their regeneration and sanctification.

Some modern cities are icons of success, affluence and

City churches therefore have a profound responsibility of

prosperity—exemplars of human flourishing. Yet, in

sharing the Gospel of life and hope to every inhabitant.

the back alleys of these same cities we find poverty,

They must bear witness to the public truth of the Gospel

marginalisation and disenfranchisement.

with the unwavering confidence that the message of the cross can bring salvation and change lives.

The World Health Organisation estimates that about onethird of urban populations across the world is living in

The early Church gradually won the entire ancient

slums and shantytowns. 3 These ghettos are hotbeds of

Graeco-Roman world to Christ by bringing the Gospel

a variety of social vices such as crime, abuse, substance

to cities. The Gospel transformed these cities by

vending and usage and rape.

humanising their dwellers.

The

Church’s

mission

in

the

city

must

be

truly

“incarnational” if it is to be authentic and life-giving.

This means that the Church must be fully present with the people in the polis. She must reach out redemptively to the wealthy business magnates in the business area as well as the prostitutes in the red-light districts.

Incarnational urban mission also entails investing in the city. This means utilising the various economic systems strategically in the service of the common good.

Then finally—and most importantly—the Church must

As Rodney Stark has depicted it so well in his fascinating book, The Rise of Christianity: To

cities

filled

with

the

homeless

and

impoverished, Christianity offered charity as well as hope. To cities filled with newcomers and strangers, Christianity offered an immediate basis for attachments. To cities filled with widows and orphans, Christianity provided a new and expanded sense of family. To cities torn by violent ethnic strife, Christianity offered a new basis for social solidarity. 5

intercede for the Shalom of the city. Walter Brueggemann

Lewis Mumford, The City in History: Its Transformations, and Its Prospects (New York: Harcourt, Brace and World, 1961), 3.

John Stott, The Message of Acts: The Spirit, the Church and the World, Bible Speaks Today Series (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1990), 293.

3 Margaret Chan, “Hidden Cities: Unmasking and Overcoming Health Inequalities in Urban Settings”, WHO/United Nations Habitat, 2010.

4 Walter Brueggemann and Patrick D. Miller, The Word that Redescribes the World: The Bible and Discipleship (National Book Network, 2006), 169.

5 Rodney Stark, The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries (San Francisco: Harper, 1997), 161–162.

1 2

METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

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14

METHODIST MESSAGE, JULY 2013

People ¢ David Leong is a Local Preacher cum Itinerant Children & Families Educator at Grace Methodist Church. He was brought to church when he was nine years old by his Primary Three Form Teacher and her then-fiancé. He is married to Cynthia and they have three children who are young adults now. / Photo courtesy of David Leong

What does being a Methodist mean to you?

T

wo things come to my mind about what being a Methodist means to me: music and missions.

Methodists love to sing and I am one of them! Our Methodist forefathers, John and Charles Wesley, published 56 collections of hymns in 53 years.

Charles Wesley wrote some 8,989 hymns. During my youth days, I was involved in our church choir and also as one of the Sunday School and church worship leaders.

Our founding pastor, Rev Alfred C. H. Yeo, has modelled for us in Grace Methodist Church what it means to be involved in God’s missions. When I answered God’s call in 1990 to serve as a fulltime missionary with Scripture Union Singapore, my church leadership and members were very supportive. In July 2013, when I became an itinerant children and families educator on a freelance basis, the church continued its strong support.

I believe that these can be attributed to the strong emphasis on missions that our founding Methodist fathers had. What John Wesley said—“The world is my parish”—has inspired me to serve the Body of Christ worldwide.

I thank God that in my 53 years of being a Christian, I have experienced the unique richness of the Methodist music and missions heritage that God has used together with other ministries to bring people of all ages and backgrounds to Jesus in worship and witness for the glory of His Name.

Opinion ¢ THINK Dr Cheah Fung Fong is the Vice President of the Trinity Annual Conference. She worships at Fairfield MC, where she is also serving as Associate Lay Leader. / Photos courtesy of Dr Cheah Fung Fong

What in the world are you doing?

That sparked off a wonderful time of conversation with the ladies, as the door opened for faith conversations and for wholistic ministry to their physical and spiritual needs.

Me, a missionary?

God had planted a seed in my heart for missions when I was an undergraduate in the Varsity Christian Fellowship at the National University of Singapore. I was convicted that God has called all of us to obey His Great Commission—to go and make disciples of all nations. For some, it would be as missionaries to whom God has given a clear call to serve full time in the missions field. For the majority, it would mean involvement through praying, giving, as well as going on short term missions trips to bring the gospel of Christ to the nations.

Being involved in short term missions over the decades has taught me several lessons.

Dr Cheah Fung Fong on during a medical missions trip

I

sat in the front seat of a four-wheel-drive that was climbing up a steep slope. The ride brought me to a small village nestled high in the mountains. The village was now a tent city—all the houses had been destroyed during a recent earthquake. I entered one of the tents and was greeted by a group of ladies huddled there. They had not seen a doctor for many months as they preferred to be seen by a female doctor. After the salutatory greetings through my interpreter, I settled down to attend to them.

My first patient was a young woman who stared at me through listless eyes, silent and sad. The other ladies fussed over her and told me that she had not eaten for several days. She had lost her only child, a two-year-old toddler, during the earthquake. As I tended to her, the ground started to shake and move beneath us. We were experiencing an aftershock.

“Aren’t you afraid?” one of the ladies asked.

I smiled and said, “In God I trust.”

32

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METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

Ministry to ladies in Manila

Serve with your gifts God has given all of us with unique gifts that we can use to serve the body of Christ. As we offer these gifts, in short- or longer-term missions, God uses it to bless others.

My medical training opened doors for me to serve in situations where extra skilled manpower was needed, e.g. in situations where the community did not usually have access to medical care, or in crisis situations where there was shortage of medical aid. This helped the local church in the missions field to extend their reach to the communities they were ministering to.

In one of the short-term missions trips that I joined in with TRAC WSCS to Oikos Helping Hands in Manila, Philippines, I saw ladies on the team who brought their talents in manicure/pedicure services to teach these skills to women who were living in poverty. This sparked a microenterprise that brought a measure of hope and sustenance to the ladies there. It helped the missionaries to achieve their goal of finding sustainable solutions to lift families out of poverty.

Even children and youth can serve God with their talents in the missions field. For several years, I led a team of children and youth from my home church to run a Vacation Bible School for students at the Methodist School of Cambodia. The kids from Fairfield Methodist Church used their gifts and talents to befriend the Cambodian children and share their testimonies about God with them. As kids ministered to kids, Cambodian children were ushered into God’s kingdom. The Christian Cambodian youth were impacted by what they saw the Fairfield kids do. They then organised themselves and got their church’s support to send them to bring the gospel of Christ to the remote villages in Cambodia. So the offerings of the children’s talents used in service to God catalysed other youth in the missions field to use their talents to serve God too!

the years—he has just turned 99 years old this year. It has been a humbling experience to have had the opportunity to serve alongside him in the earlier years as he did the hard work of tilling the ground in outreach to the Ibans and seeing him raise a team of local leaders who could join him in the work of church planting. I have been richly blessed through his role modelling and to observe his long and faithful years of unflinching service to the Lord.

When you serve in the missions field, even on a short term missions trip, you also have a front row view of the miracles of transformed lives, touched by God. I remember visiting an Iban longhouse that, I was told, was the last longhouse in the area that still had not come to Christ. This was because of an influential witch doctor that lived in this longhouse. That night, our missions team of university students shared our testimonies as well as the gospel to the villagers who had gathered to hear us. To our immense surprise and delight, the witchdoctor gave his life to Christ that night! The next morning, the whole longhouse held a ceremony as they burnt all their idols and images of the gods they had previously worshipped.

We went away rejoicing, knowing that we left behind a whole village transformed for Christ!

Seed the Gospel Jesus left the glory of heaven to come to earth for our salvation. And He has left us a clear command in Matt 28:19–20: “Therefore go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

A short-term missions trip ministering to youths at the Methodist School of Cambodia

Stretch your faith and perspectives

We will be obeying Christ’s command and following in His footsteps as we bring the gospel cross culturally to the nations. It may be difficult now to travel to other nations as we continue to grapple with living with the COVID-19 pandemic. But opportunities abound, such as being involved in praying and giving to the missionaries our churches are supporting as well as the work of the Methodist Missions Society. The nations are also at our doorstep, with foreigners who live amongst us, who are here for their work or their studies.

Meeting missionaries on the field and observing their selfless service and sacrifice to God has inspired me in my own walk and service to God.

Count Zinzendorf once said, “Missions after all is simply this: Every heart with Christ is a missionary, every heart without Christ is a mission field.”

On my first missions trip, I met an Australian missionary who was serving in the remote villages amongst the Iban tribe in Sarawak. I kept in touch with him through

Let’s join in work in the missions field, near and far. The fields are white for harvest!

METHODIST MESSAGE November 2021

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NOV

Events ¢ Looking Ahead

Scan to see events online!

PRAY FOR THE 46TH SESSION OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCES ETAC 12–13 Nov 2021 / CAC 15–18 Nov 2021 / TRAC 22–25 Nov 2021 For more information, please contact your respective Annual Conference office.

Come together as a Methodist family to pray for God’s guidance as the clergy and lay delegates gather to discuss future plans as a conference and share about their ministries. Pray also for the logistics and preparation of meetings, including all technical details and measures required.

NOV

Organised by the respective Annual Conferences.

DISCIPLE 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 4 Nov 2021 (Saturday), 2.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.

Faith Methodist Church, 400 Commonwealth Drive S(149604) and online disciple.methodist.org.sg 6765-5301 (Whatsapp) disciple@methodist.org.sg

Celebrate DISCIPLE’s 30 years in Singapore!

Register now and join Disciple Agency onsite or online to celebrate God’s faithfulness and abundant grace together.

NOV

Organised by Disciple Agency.

TRAC SENIORS MINISTRY: GRANDPARENTING 13 Nov 2021 (Saturday), 9.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.

Online via Zoom. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2ta6u72m Whatsapp Priscilla at 9220 8954

Grandparenting means watching your family grow. It means enjoying time with the little ones—often without all the pains of parenthood. But is there more to being a grandparent?

Join Bishop Emeritus Dr Robert Solomon, a grandfather of four, as he shares how you can give the next generation a spiritual legacy as you share your knowledge and experience of God and make a difference in their lives that will last for eternity.

DEC

Organised by TRAC Seniors Ministry.

METHODIST FESTIVAL CHOIR ADVENT 2021: COMFORT MY PEOPLE 12 Dec 2021 (Sunday), 5.00 p.m.

Online via Zoom. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2zm5mece Admission is free.

This musical worship presentation aims to provide a platform for fellow Methodists and Christians of other denominations to sing together and to have fellowship and support one another in the music ministry. Join them as they present an Advent service to prepare us for the season of anticipation!

Organised by the Methodist School of Music.