5 minute read
WHO AM I? WHOSE AM I?
by Chern Siang Ling, MMS Regional Director for Cambodia, Nepal and Vietnam. She was a youth and young adult worker at Kampong Kapor Methodist Church after a season of serving in Vietnam.
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Questions of identity arise in our lives time and again. After returning from the mission field, I spent a few years serving as a youth worker at the local church where I worship. The questions, “Who am I?” and “Whose am I?” are common yet deeply important ones, especially for young people during their formative years.
The Bible tells us that we are precious sons and daughters of our heavenly Father. He created us, loves us, and gives us hope. He made us for community. As part of God’s church, we grow in our Christian understanding alongside our brothers and sisters in the faith. On our journey of discipleship, God calls us to service. As we step forward in obedience, our relationship with the Lord deepens.
Missions is the work of making disciples of all nations. As missionaries serve in foreign countries and reach out with the love of Christ, many have found their identity in Him through the platforms of mission endeavours. Missions nurtures this identity as faith takes root and deepens in the lives of believers. It offers answers to the questions “Who am I?” and “Whose am I?” through the sharing of the gospel and teaching from God’s Word.
The Methodist Missions Society (MMS) is privileged to partner with Methodist churches to reach out to young people in different countries, providing a nurturing environment for them to grow in Christ. Countless testimonies tell of God’s transformative work— bringing assurance, shaping identity, and changing lives through Jesus. We praise God for each soul brought into His Kingdom and rejoice when a brother or sister is added to the household of faith.
Here, we share three testimonies from the mission fields as we celebrate God’s good work among the nations: Shinta, in Timor-Leste, found her identity as a child of God. Meena, from Nepal, discovered a community to walk with her on her faith journey. Nob Manin, now a leader in the Methodist Church in Cambodia, experiences Jesus more deeply through her service to others.
Child of God – Who Am I?
Shinta is a young adult from Timor-Leste. She experienced God’s love during her stay at Sundermeier Home, a hostel ministry. Joseph and Grace Mannar, missionaries serving as house parents, offered her constant affirmation and encouragement. During a time of worship, Shinta made a personal commitment and surrendered her life to Jesus. She now experiences the freedom that comes from knowing she is a beloved child of God—forgiven and set free from her past. Knowing she belongs to God has helped her overcome many fears.
Community in Christ – Where Do I Belong?
Meena was born in a remote village in Nepal. At the age of seven, she joined Sophia’s Home, a residence for underprivileged girls. There, Meena found a caring community—a “big family”, as she calls it—of supportive sisters and dedicated home parents who walked with her as she learned and grew in her Christian faith. This Christ-centred community shaped her into the woman she is today.
Now, Meena serves in children’s ministry at a church in Cyprus. She continues to stay connected with the community from Sophia’s Home, who give her courage and strength as they journey together in fulfilling God’s purpose for her life.
Commitment to Serve – How Can I Grow?
Nob Manin is a coordinator of Flourish Ministry in Cambodia, which supports local women through handicrafts that help supplement their livelihood. Through weekly devotions and prayer meetings, these women are taught God’s Word. Manin not only guides them in their work but also provides spiritual mentoring.
As she steps forward in faith and obedience, trusting God to lead her, Manin continues to experience His grace and faithfulness through her commitment to serve.
The testimonies of Shinta, Meena, and Nob Manin, along with many others, can be found at Project Metamorphosis at www.mms.org.sg/projectmetamorphosis.
“Who am I?” “Whose am I?” For Shinta, Meena, and Manin, the answers were found in Christ. These are real, existential questions we all ask at some point in life. Alongside these sisters in faith, we affirm that each of us is a precious child of God.
Our identity, rooted in Jesus our Saviour, is nurtured within a community built on the love of Christ. As we commit ourselves to serve God faithfully, we continue to grow in our relationship with our heavenly Father.
Indeed, I am a child of God, belonging to the family of Christ and serving in my Heavenly Father’s mission.
Indeed, I am a child of God, belonging to the family of Christ and serving in my Heavenly Father’s mission.
