Harvest Force 2024 Issue 1

ISSUE 1

HARVEST FORCE CONNECTS YOU WITH THE METHODIST MISSIONS SOCIETY

ENHANCED

Equipping Christians for Mission in a Complex World

This programme is a robust exploration of theoretical and theological frameworks with hands-on practice learning by theologians and experienced missionaries from Trinity Theological College (TTC) and the Singapore Centre for Global Mission (SCGM)

Who is this for?

Missional entrepreneurs who are innovating or ideating new ways of reaching di erent groups of people

Short-term missionaries preparing for cross-cultural assignments of 6–24 months Senders who are members of local church missions committees, denominational missions boards, or missions agencies

Everyday Christians who wish to be intentional and reflective participants in missional and missionary endeavours

What’s in the programme?

This self-paced programme will take between two to eight years to complete. It comprises two parts: TRAINING and a PRACTICUM

TRAINING | Eight online, weekday evening courses and an in-person workshop held over three Saturdays. The EQUIP course schedule for two years is available at ttc.edu.sg/english/ EQUIPcourseschedule

Every course comprises seven two-hour Zoom sessions

1. Old Testament Survey*

2. New Testament Survey*

3. Christian Doctrine*

4. Missio Dei: Historical & Holistic Perspectives

5. Theology of Mission

6. Introducing World Religions

7. Issues in Christian Mission

8. Contextualization and Mission

*Those with theological degrees are exempted from these courses

In-person workshop held over three Saturdays

Understanding Church Planting and Holistic Mission

PRACTICUM | Either an overseas 5–7 day missions exposure trip OR 40 hours with a local missions partner over no more than three months, and pre- and postpracticum activities

How do I register?

To register or to get more information, please email equip@ttc.edu.sg

Get more information also via this QR code or ttc.edu.sg/english/ EQUIP-LMP

Methodist Missions Society (MMS) is the missions agency of The Methodist Church in Singapore. MMS is given the mandate to establish indigenous churches supported by mission endeavours in communities across this region where there is no Methodist presence. Harvest Force is published three times annually and distributed free. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. Work in Creative Access Nations is not published; please email mms@methodist.org.sg for more information and engagement. All information published is correct at time of writing and may be subject to change. All Scripture quoted is based on the English Standard Version, unless otherwise stated.

Henry

Cheryl

IN THE LORD! DELIGHT

Rev Derrick Lau 刘作丰牧师 Executive Director of MMS.

MMS, the denominational missions agency of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS), delights in mobilising the local churches to fulfil the mandate of the Great Commission, i.e. to preach the Good News to the nations. Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 9:37, “The harvest is plentiful…” The task of reaching the lost, the least, and the last is enormous and urgent. And it cannot be achieved by a handful of pastors, lay leaders, and members alone. We encourage and challenge you to pray and seek God’s direction to serve the mission of Christ with us.

As they delight in the Lord, they bring delight to our team as they lighten our burden with their active and sacrificial service.

We have developed a Christo-centric strategic roadmap and communicated the opportunities to participate in MMS mission through mobilising a network of intercessors, and raising and equipping a team of missionaries and lay members. We praise God that over 20 local churches (Methodist and others) are directly collaborating with us. They support the sending of 38 members as missionaries, pray regularly, give generously, and visit the fields to conduct a variety of programmes to bless the churches and community projects.

In our quest to fulfil Christ’s mandate, we are to be mindful of the fundamental theological principle undergirding our service. We should not be preoccupied with the service itself. Instead, let us embrace the first biblical principle of service in the Kingdom of God, i.e. we are called to “Delight in the Lord!” The Psalmist declares, “I delight to do

your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:8) He adds, “Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.” (Psalm 119:35) Therefore, the primary focus is upwards in terms of delighting in the Lord. In maintaining that priority, we avoid Martha’s syndrome where, too often, the works of service themselves can become a distraction from our devoting ourselves to the Lord.

Furthermore, the Psalmist declares, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

Recently, we organised two

His hobbies include gardening, jogging, and travelling.

Wooden cross gifts personally handcrafted by Rev Derrick Lau for those who turned up for the Delighters Fellowship sessions.

A token of appreciation for all our Delighters for their invaluable service with MMS.

“Delighters Fellowship” sessions. The purpose was to acknowledge, affirm, and attest to the invaluable spirit of active participation by volunteer members. Being an addition to our team of full-time missionaries and Home Office staff, they play an indispensable role in strengthening the much-needed portion of facilitating the operational aspects of our mission. These members include MMS Exco, MMS Sub-Committees (Education, Finance, Missionary Service Member Care, Training, Building and Construction), Field Board of Ministry, mailers, and servers. We express our sincere and heartfelt appreciation to our Delighters! As they delight in the Lord, they bring delight to our team

as they lighten our burden with their active and sacrificial service.

One Delighter shared, “Thank you so much for your wooden crosses. They are the best presents I have ever received. They are authentic, genuine, unique and memorable! Thank you for hosting a lovely appreciation nite. Appreciation both ways. Thank you for appreciating us too! ������������”

James David Greear, 62nd president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 2018 to 2021, wrote, “True religion is when you serve God to get nothing else but more of God. Many people use religion as a way of getting something from God

they want—blessings, rewards, even escape from judgment. This is wearisome to us, and to God. But when God is His own reward, Christianity becomes thrilling. Sacrifice becomes joy.”

I would like to encourage and inspire you to be part of our Delighters Fellowship. The Bible informs us that, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way.” (Psalm 37:23)

To find out how you can be part of MMS’ Delighters Fellowship, visit https:// www.mms.org.sg/join-us for details.

Our Delighters at our Delighters Fellowship on 28 July 2023.

以主为乐 !

作为新加坡卫理公会的宗派宣教机构 ，卫理宣教会致力于动 员本地教会，共同完成主托付的大使命，向万国万民传福音。

耶稣在马太福音第九章第三十七节对祂的门徒说：“要收的庄 稼多，做工的人少……”。向失丧者、最卑微和最被忽略者传 福音的任务既艰巨又紧迫。这不是仅靠少数牧者、会友领袖和 教会成员就能完成。我们鼓励并恳切邀请您与我们同心祈求 上帝的指引，一同委身于基督的使命。

卫宣制定以基督为中心的策略路线图，通过建立代祷者 网络，装备宣教士和平信徒，广泛宣传参与卫理宣教会 （MMS）服侍的机会。感谢上帝，目前有超过20间本

地教会（卫理公会和其他教会）直接与卫宣结伴：大

力支持38名会友宣教士，定期为卫宣代 祷，慷慨认捐，到不同禾场开展各种项 目以祝福教会和社区。

在矢志践行基督使命的过程中，我们必须牢记服侍基督的基 本神学原则。我们不应只关注服侍本身。相反，让我们拥抱上 帝国度中的第一个圣经原则——“以主为乐！”诗篇作者宣告：“ 我的神啊，我乐意照祢的旨意行；你的律法在我心里。”（诗篇 40:8）诗人又说：“求祢叫我遵行祢的命令，因为这是我所喜乐 的。（诗篇119:35）因此，我们首要的关注点是以主为乐。只要 牢记这一初心，我们就可避开马大的困境，即太过于关注服侍 而忽略了对主的敬虔之心。

诗篇作者也进一步宣告：“又要以耶和华为乐，祂就将你心里 所求的赐给你 。”（诗篇37:4）

最近，我们组织了两次“喜乐者团契”活动，目的在于见证、认 可及肯定志愿者积极参与的宝贵精神。我们的宣教士和国内 办公室同工，在协调、促进事工各个环节的实际运作中也扮演

Another group of Delighters on 30 August 2023.

着不可或缺的角色。他们包括卫理宣教会执委及各附属委员 会成员（教育、财务、宣教士关顾、培训、工程建设）、禾场牧职 业部部员以及刊物邮寄员等。谨此向我们的喜乐者团契成员 表达最诚挚的感谢！他们以主为乐，积极服侍，无形中减轻了 我们的负担，为我们的团队带来欢乐。

一位成员分享：“非常感谢你们赠送的木制十字架。这是我 收到的最佳礼物。它是那么朴实无华、真实、独特和有纪念 性！感谢你们举办了如此温馨的感恩之夜，也感谢你们对我 们的认可！������������”

美南浸信会第62任主席（2018至2021年）格里尔说：“真正 的信仰是专心、更多事奉神，此外别无所求。许多人利用信 仰作为交换祂的祝福、奖赏、甚至逃过审判的手段。这个现

象确实让人和神忧心忡忡。但是当我们视神为个人最 终的奖赏时，我们的信仰足以振奋人心，面对一切的牺 牲都是甘心且喜乐的。”

我真心鼓励并欢迎您加入喜乐者团契。圣经告诉我 们：“人的脚步是耶和华立定的，他的道路也是耶和华 喜悦的。（诗篇37:23，圣经新译本）

请浏览 https://www.mms.org. sg/join-us获取详细信息，了解如 何成为卫宣喜乐者团契的一员。

Delighters Fellowship

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

IN THE FIELD

The fields are ready for harvesting – but there are so few labourers. In the seven countries that MMS serves, we continue to be in need of the following:

• Full-time missionaries. We are asking the 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 there to help our missionaries. They would need to raise their 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:

• Speak with your pastor and ask him/her to help examine your calling to missions.

• If your church pastor and leaders affirm your calling and are prepared to support you – praise the Lord! Call MMS straight away at 64784818.

• 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 churches, agencies, and individuals.

AT HOME

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

Communications & Publications

• English-Chinese Translator

• Photographer or Videographer

• Graphic Designer

• Web Designer

Office Assistance

• MMS Events Coordinator

• Member of Fund Raising Team

• Member of Fellowship Mailer Team

Cambodia

Financial Assistance

• Give towards Student Sponsorship Scheme. Please refer to page 23.

To find out more about the different fields, please email these persons at their respective email addresses:

Cambodia mms@methodist.org.sg

East Asia mms@methodist.org.sg

Laos lichun.woo@methodist.org.sg

Nepal mms@methodist.org.sg

Thailand jeremy.choo@methodist.org.sg

Timor-Leste cheryl.chen@methodist.org.sg

Vietnam mms@methodist.org.sg

• Personnel needed (whatever talents, skills, experience, age, etc.) to empower local Cambodians especially children, youth, young adults in varied ways including disciple-making in our different ministries (COSI, COSY, Hope House, different Hostels, etc.)

• Secondary and primary school teachers to teach as well as empower teachers at the Methodist School of Cambodia especially in English, IT, Science, Mathematics, Mental Health awareness, etc.

• Financial Support for more than 200 underprivileged children (about a quarter of enrolment) studying at the Methodist School of Cambodia through the SSS programme.

• Online ministries to teach, befriend and empower local Cambodians

• Prayer and financial supporters for pastors of the Methodist Church of Cambodia, whose income is below the national minimum wage.

For more information about these opportunities, kindly contact us via email at 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.

East Asia

• A missionary with a passion and commitment to serve in our Diaspora Missions (DM) to reach out to Chinese tertiary students (华侨 & 华裔) on campuses. One who loves the Lord and has a passion to engage tertiary students and initiate outreach activities to bring them the good news and to disciple believers. The missionary will be based in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

• Trainers to conduct leadership development and counselling courses.

• Church teams to engage communities through community services and development projects.

• A volunteer to serve at MMS to support East Asia missions and projects.

Laos

• Full-time staff (single or married couple) to serve in Singapore Mission School (SMS) and to develop partnerships and community development with the churches and communities in Laos.

• Kindergarten and Primary teachers familiar with the Singapore curriculum to teach at SMS. Teachers may either serve one-year term or longer to teach English or other subjects, or provide short-term courses for teachers’ development for one week to two months.

• More SSS supporters and partners to support and participate in our outreach projects such as the Vientiane Home hostel ministry.

Nepal

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

• Trainers to conduct online or on-site developmental training on Discipleship, Spiritual Leadership, Financial Stewardships, Administration and IT.

• Donors and sponsors for the needy youth within MCN to continue their tertiary education. This enables the future development of MCN financial stability and self-sustainability.

Thailand

• Short-term helpers to organise camps, programmes and activities for BB, GB, Children’s, and Youth ministry at our Methodist churches.

• Qualified Kindergarten and Primary level teachers to conduct teachers’ training at Vineyard Methodist School and Little Candles School. Focus areas are English and Mathematics.

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

Timor-Leste

• Missionaries and teachers who can teach our Thai teachers English.

• Families in Singapore willing to open their homes to host Timorese students on internships in Singapore (different durations ranging from 2 weeks to 1 year).

• House parents for student hostels: Missionaries to serve in Sundermeier Home (high school students) or Dunamis House (tertiary students).

• Volunteers to serve as short-term house parents for 1-2 months when missionaries return to Singapore for home leave.

• Volunteers with vocational/business skills to partner with St Paul Methodist School to offer short-term training workshops or longer programmes.

Vietnam

• A tentmaker (with at least a Diploma in Bible and Christian Ministries) to be a pastoral assistant or a small group leader. Or a tentmaker (without theological training) to lead a small group. A business entrepreneur, social entrepreneur, qualified TEFL/ TESOL teachers, or someone with a willing heart to learn and understudy at International Christian Fellowship and MMS-International NGO.

• Volunteers to provide short-term relief teaching or organise learning camps for private school and home for children (kindergarten/primary level). A team to consist no more than four people.

• Teach English at Sunrise Girls Shelter, Lotus Girls Shelter, or Sunlight Boys Shelter during the holidays.

• Urgently looking for business-minded Christians to set up businesses like tuition centre, Christian crematorium, etc. and bring in ministry staff under their umbrella.

Exploration of New Geographical Missions Partnerships (NewGMP)

• MMS is exploring collaborative partnerships with local Methodist churches in countries such as Indonesia, Myanmar, and Japan.

• 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.

PALM SUNDAY SERVICE 2024

MMS is planning for a Palm Sunday Service via Zoom on 24 March 2024 at 5pm. Please email mms@methodist. org.sg if you are keen to commemorate Palm Sunday with our missionaries, national leaders, and staff. RSVP before 18 March 2024 and we will provide the Zoom details.

PROFESSIONAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME TYPICAL

NOT THE TENTMAKER:

He

The common thread that weaves these individuals together is the shared belief that their secular vocations are their ministry to God.

Editor’s Note: These professional volunteers are indeed the “Delighters” that Rev Derrick wrote about on page 2. Let us know by emailing us at mms@ methodist.org.sg if you want to be a part of MMS’ Delighters Fellowship

playgroup for a handful of young years. Since then, it has developed

to put it mildly, challenging. Most will understand a “good school” as one which has a strong academic curriculum, led by dynamic leaders, and taught by inspiring teachers. However, from the organisational perspective, there are also factors related to operations, statutory compliance, human resources and finance that need to be developed to make a school truly “good”.

These elements can be especially demanding in jurisdictions outside of Singapore.

Through the years, the SMS, and indeed, many of our sister mission schools in the region, have been blessed by the work of specialist volunteers from Singapore who have contributed a unique but precious resource – their professional expertise. These “professional volunteers” not only visit to spend time in our classrooms, but commit to longterm activities to develop specific areas of school operations.

From the curriculum standpoint, volunteers with teaching and school management experience have contributed in areas of:

• Mentoring teachers

• Conducting training for teachers

• Developing new aspects of the curriculum

• Evaluating teaching processes

There have also been many nonteaching professional volunteers from accounting, management consulting, healthcare, and technical fields, who have helped on projects related to:

• Conducting

o audits related to risk, safety, and internal financial processes

o training and professional development for administrative staff

o health-based assessments for members of the school community

• Providing input and opinion on work of local professionals

• Documenting of operating procedures related to accounting, procurement and HR practices

• Supplementing the local workforce during crisis or transition

These volunteers sacrifice time and offer professional expertise for a sustained period. Not all are from well-to-do backgrounds, and some even resolve to leave their families behind in Singapore for weeks. The common thread that weaves these individuals together is the shared belief that their secular vocations are their ministry to God.

Jason Chin

works with regional private schools, providing consulting services in areas of curriculum development and strategic management. He is a member of Christ Methodist Church and has served two terms as Vice Chairman of the Singapore Mission School Board.

Our professional volunteers may not yet have decided to become full-time tentmakers like the Apostle Paul, but nonetheless, they commit to intentionally enable the work of missionaries in mission stations by bringing their A-game to the mission field.

The service of these busy and highly-skilled professionals from Singapore complements the work of pioneering founders and school staff, especially in domains where local professional expertise may be unavailable, or may not be at the level required to comply with the expectations of our stakeholders in Singapore. This is especially crucial where adaptations and revisions of processes are required for the missions endeavour to build capacity and develop long-term sustainably.

Many of our professional volunteers serve at their own expense, either choosing to put their career assignments on hold, or to make off-site work arrangements while in Laos. There are certainly material and personal costs in volunteering for weeks on end.

In an effort to support and enable the capacity-building work that our professional volunteers do, resources often come from fellow Christians in Singapore. These come either through personal financial support for out-ofpocket expenses, such as airfares and accommodation, or from structured short-term missions programmes instituted in Methodist Churches for their members.

These support mechanisms are invaluable, as they reinforce the message to both our local volunteers and workers on the ground that their work is not taken for granted, and that there are folks back in Singapore who continue to stand by them, in prayer and through sacrificial contributions.

To all our professional volunteers and enablers serving with us in the field - THANK YOU! You make a significant impact on the generations that come after us.

TESTIMONIES

Eugene Chew has been a teacher since 1988 and is a former Senior Teacher and Head of Department. After a weeklong mission trip to the Singapore Mission School in Laos in 2018, he availed of himself to volunteer for longer stints at the school as a teacher-mentor, curriculum developer and internal consultant.

I accepted Christ as a secondary school student in a mission school where chapel sessions were a weekly feature. During my National Service days, I had the opportunity to teach in my church’s Sunday School, and this greatly influenced my decision to become a teacher upon graduating from NUS. I found that teaching aligned with my interests and was also a good platform to serve Christ. I have now been a career teacher for more than 30 years, and I continue to teach in an international school.

My interest in Christian missions work was sparked by a speaker at one of my church’s Missions Sundays, who challenged us to allow our life’s circumstances and natural giftings to be used for missions work. This led me to sign up for a mission trip organised by my church.

In 2018, a mission trip was planned by Wesley Methodist Church to organise a Singapore Fair at the Singapore Mission School (SMS) in Laos. This was not a “traditional mission trip” as the country was considered a Creative Access Nation, but one which was focused on providing an opening to reach out to Lao people by exposing them to Singapore food and culture. Our team members had the opportunity to interact positively with the school’s staff, its students, and their families. It was a fun event, and many good links were made with local Christians and the surrounding

community and also with local village leaders who attended.

At the end of that year, I spent a month in Laos with SMS to help out in teaching and staff training. This allowed me to have a look at the school close-up and to explore how I could contribute to its work.

Then, many of SMS’ teachers were untrained. Most teachers had a great heart to serve in a mission school, but had not undergone formal teacher training with an institution. As teachers, there is a constant need for in-service professional development and pedagogical training to keep our knowledge and approaches relevant, and I was asked to assist in mentoring and guiding the SMS teachers.

I continued to engage with the school staff throughout the COVID period via Zoom. In 2022, as the borders started to slowly reopen, I was challenged by our Lord to take time-off professionally to serve for a slightly longer period in SMS. These were challenging times of uncertainty, but I thank God for the opportunity to serve in SMS as a MITE volunteer supported by Wesley Methodist Church for 3 months from March to May of that year.

In this capacity, my role in SMS was to help guide teachers by providing professional feedback on teaching, as well as to affirm and encourage

good practices. Guidance on improving aspects of the school’s curriculum was also provided, as well as training on curriculum development and school evaluation. As important as these professional activities were, it was fulfilling to also be given opportunities to share at devotions with teachers and students.

Being a “professional volunteer” has helped me understand what missions work in our region actually involves. We can read about, or listen to, others tell their stories, but it can be difficult to connect with the challenges at the ground level, and with the impact of God’s work in the community.

Having said that, taking time-off professionally to serve overseas did pose some challenges. Missing my family in Singapore was difficult at times, and I thank God that they were pillars of support throughout my time in Laos. Also, the initial language barriers and different work and living expectations required some adjustment.

However, serving with selfless and dedicated brothers and sisters on the ground in Laos has provided me a life-changing insight into how our faith is lived outside of comfortable Singapore, and this continues to challenge me to live my life meaningfully in our Lord’s service.

Eugene serving with other Wesley MC members to promote Singapore in Laos!

Grace Ling retired from teaching in 2004 after serving more than 30 years as a secondary school teacher in Singapore. She is a member of Foochow Methodist Church and is concurrently involved with GCWSCS, where she once served as its Missions Coordinator, and is now Coordinator for Discipleship and Nurture. After her first trip to Vientiane in March 2023, she continues to avail herself to serve alongside the teachers for teaching and mentoring stints of up to 3 weeks.

sought the Lord to ask if this was part of His plan. I serve because it is He whom I am serving. Our Master truly knows best, and there was a sense of calm assurance about going to Laos, allowing for an initial 10-day stint in March 2023.

On this first trip, I was assigned to observe teachers teaching Mathematics and Science, and to provide feedback. With God’s help, I did my best to approach this task professionally and sensitively. It was a pleasant surprise that the teachers welcomed the opportunity to be given professional feedback about their teaching approach. More importantly, the interactions with the students in the classes, and engaging with individual students as they completed their class work caused me to bond closer with the school.

and were very amazed to see this Singaporean sing with them, and I believe that this allowed a certain barrier to be crossed. Two teachers also presented me with the Lao traditional materials which I made into skirts of their culture to be worn on specific days. My students also taught me simple Lao words whenever I asked them, - they always gladly obliged!

I am a retired teacher, but still keep my professional knowledge relevant by taking up relief or adjunct teaching positions in MOE schools. My missions involvement with GCWSCS involves women’s ministry and working alongside students or children in the Methodist schools and agencies embedded in communities within our region. I consider Christian missions work to be part of my family’s heritage as I come from a family with up to 4 generations serving either as pastors or missionaries.

In 2013, the then-President of GCWSCS, Ms Dorothy Lim and I first met up with Mr and Mrs Yeow Kok Liang, the founders of SMS, over lunch with Col Quek from the MMS. That time, we were exploring how GCWSCS could come alongside the school when it was first developing its Primary programme. It was not until December 2022 that I was reacquainted with the school’s work through one of its Board members, who shared with me about the school’s ongoing development. This provided me with a clear description of the school’s work and its need for experienced teachers to share aspects of our professional work with teachers in Laos.

Up to this point, Laos was not on my list of places to serve, and I fervently

The School Principal rostered me to teach some lessons, and to conduct story-telling with some of the younger children, as well as to give remedial lessons on reading and pronunciation to the weaker students in the lower Primary classes. These were precious opportunities to directly interact with individuals who might one day become the country’s decision-makers.

When I returned after my first trip, I was truly excited and shared what I did with some of my friends. A few did not think that spending almost a fortnight on a volunteer mission was materially worthwhile, and thought that I had been paid to go. My response was that the Lord was my support, His grace is sufficient, and the school community’s hospitality was more than adequate to meet my needs. Our brothers and sisters in Christ serving in Vientiane are truly the inspirational individuals and were a constant pillar of support.

In October last year, I volunteered for another 3-week stint in SMS. This time, my deployment was to temporarily be with classes where the teacher was new to the school or on urgent leave. By now, I was more familiar with the school. The lovely tune of the Lao national anthem attracted me when the students and teachers sang it during the school assemblies. Without much delay, I tried to learn and memorise it with the help of Lao teachers. They were very encouraging

Despite having already retired for 20 years, I am blessed with this opportunity to continue contributing as a teacher with our Christian brothers and sisters in the region. In considering whether “professional volunteering” is something you should consider, I believe that the key priority is to seek the Lord and stay close to Him as His ways are higher than our ways. In doing this, He will reveal His plans, and everything will fall in place. When I was in Laos, I found that there was an almost automatic urge to spend time with God, with my morning and evening devotions being unhurried and contemplative. The joy of the Lord is my strength. Rejoice in Him always and again I say rejoice. He must increase and I must decrease. To God be the Glory.

Thank-you notes from the students. They were expressions from the heart.

Timor-Leste

OVERCOMING

Yu Chin Fun

To the students in Sundermeier Home, she’s Aunty Fun. Her good memory was put to the test in her bid to remember all the students’ names and faces. And she succeeded! She is a member of Toa Payoh Methodist Church and believes in counting her blessings. Here’s Chin Fun with Ash, the “best” resident of the Home.

I learnt what it is to live life simply and to trust God for His provision.

GIANTS

On a hillside in Gleno, Timor-Leste, stands a lovely home with 16 girls and 18 boys, two cats, some lorikeets, and a dog named Ash. It was my home for four weeks in October 2023 and where I learnt what it is to live life simply and to trust God for His provision.

My journey began with an email to MMS after reading about its search for volunteers to serve as houseparents for its hostels in Timor-Leste (Harvest Force 2023 Issue 2). I was told that Sundermeier Home’s missionaries Joseph and Grace Mannar were coming back to Singapore for two months and stand-in parents were urgently needed. Since I was available, I stepped forward and was given the go-ahead by MMS and endorsement by Toa Payoh Methodist Church, my home church. I was assured of spiritual support from my church, cell group, and intercessors from my Friday prayer group. Such support was needed especially during my first week at Sundermeier Home. It was a challenging one, with several students coming under spiritual attack. God provided two Indonesian ladies, who were on a calendar-making project with the students, to help me.

After the spiritually exhausting first week, I began to enjoy the cool mornings and evenings in Gleno, the daily interactions with the students and the simplicity of life at the Home. It wasn’t long before I got used to the day-to-day activities - helping to plan the lunch and dinner menus, going marketing with the students, and mobilising them to water their garden plots.

As the school gave little homework, I taught students who were keen to learn English through story-telling and word games in the morning and afternoon. Some ten students would come for the lessons - usually the SMA 1 students who are about 15 years old. The sessions culminated in a story-telling contest based on Aesop’s fables and a word-formation competition which the students thoroughly enjoyed. Meanwhile, the SMA 3 students were preparing for their national

Students praying for Chin Fun at the farewell event.

Chin Fun with the tai, a heartwarming gift from the students.

Chin Fun with Felix, an alumnus of the home and its future chaplain.

Celebrating the birthday of Zeck and Leo.

exams. It was clear that God was very much a part of their lives when they came to the houseparents - Loh Han Chew was the other stand-in houseparent - for prayer before they left for school during the exam week.

Devotions were done in the mornings and evenings. I shared devotions on two nights - overcoming the “giants” in our lives from the slaying of Goliath by David (1 Samuel 17:43-50) and the prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:9-10). The students know that even if they go to university, they will have difficulty finding work, and might end up selling “tauhu” in the Gleno market which, according to them, are what some graduates are doing. I hope that my sharing will remind them that their hope is in God and He has a wonderful plan for everyone. A morning devotion by me taken from James 1:22-25 was to remind students to heed God’s word after a stealing incident in the boys’ dormnot an uncommon occurrence.

One highlight was the birthday celebration of Zeck and Leo - two of the most helpful and likeable boys in the Home. They shyly basked in the moment as the birthday song was sung and two plain cakes, not some cream cakes, were cut which the children enjoyed tremendously ... even the crumbs were kept for the next day!

All too soon, a surprise farewell was held, with a tai (a traditional woven cloth) presented to me, a beautiful reminder of my time at the Home. It was a touching moment as I received the students’ prayers. I left them with a bible verse from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I felt this was key to thriving in the harsh environment the students are in.

My final full day in Timor-Leste ended on a bright note as I met up with David Chan and his family. David, the principal of St Paul Methodist School, shared his journey of how God called him to conquer the education “mountain” in Timor-Leste; a truly inspiring journey of a man who obeyed God’s call, and the school is the fruit of that step of faith. It was uplifting to hear from him how the different churches in Singapore are working together in Timor-Leste. There are many opportunities to serve here - volunteer stand-in houseparents included.

A memorable moment although not all students were present.

Students attending the Sunday service, which may include guests from the community.

Sundermeier Home at sunset; boys from the Home playing football.

On a visit to a student’s cabbage farm, about half an hour’s walk from the home.

Final shot of Sundermeier Home capturing the students’ engaging smiles and lively spirits.

Cabbage growing season in Gleno.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD

Manuel Noronha Former student of St Paul Methodist School, Timor-Leste.

He has enjoyed playing soccer since he was young. But since soccer is a big group game, he goes for a run more frequently when he has free time now. Chicken rice was his first meal in Singapore and he immediately loved it, and misses it now.

I have benefitted from being in God’s village.

I joined St Paul Methodist School (SPMS) in Timor-Leste in Grade 7. Despite not knowing much English, I topped the Grade 7 cohort. My teachers and principal recognised my hard work and capacity to learn, and recommended that I skip a grade to be promoted to Grade 9. Later, I was amongst the top students in my Grade 9 class. Thanks be to God, I became the first and only student to qualify for a place in St Francis Methodist School in Singapore.

I came to Singapore for a three-year programme at St Francis Methodist School (SFMS) in 2020 during the period we were all severely affected by COVID-19. Studying abroad was then new to me, hence life was very challenging. My lack of knowledge about English and international cultures made me very anxious and I had self-doubt about the new school environment. I vividly remember that during break times, Mrs Gina would approach the loneliest student at the corner of the canteen and chat with me. However, those difficult moments did not last long. Through the help of the teachers and classmates, I was able to gradually progress in my English skills and get to know many St Francians who were from different cultures and had unique characteristics.

new people and teachers to start conversations and ask for help. Three years later, in November 2022, I graduated as the valedictorian of my cohort and I was in the top 12% of students who sat for the international Western Australian Certificate of Education. I am grateful for the wholesome environment where I could develop strong leadership skills and forge close friendships.

Other than my teachers and friends, the school activities and programmes were also a big part of my growth in SFMS. One of them was being able to serve in the student councillor committee. After I was chosen to be a student councillor, I gained a huge amount of confidence to approach

It had been a wonderful and extraordinary learning journey in SFMS and I am grateful for it from the bottom of my heart. I would like to thank all my subject teachers who dedicated their time and effort in helping me to become the best person I could ever be. I was a naive boy with

Manuel with SPMS principal, David Chan, and teachers.

Manuel departing for Australia in 2024.

a lack of English skills but later, I was able to represent my class to give a speech in fluent English. I had grown a lot - thanks to my dearest and caring teachers, who nurtured me from an immature boy into an independent adult. I am now capable of taking responsibility of my own behaviours and decisions. The knowledge and skills that I learnt will never be forgotten.

I also want to appreciate my Aldersgate Methodist Church (AMC) family. The church provided a community for me in Singapore. I was 17 when I arrived in Singapore. I did not really know anyone. Many people told me I was brave. Later, I realised that I was not scared

because I knew I was surrounded by God’s people, the AMC community. I want to especially thank the Loo Family who took me in to live with them. Thank you for being a family to me; they took care of me and treated me like their own son. I was really blessed by them. Lastly, I want to thank the group of people who had been praying for me. I did not really know who the people in that group are but I knew their faithful prayers had helped me to be where I am today. Thank you and thank God.

I had dreamt of becoming a pilot when I first joined SPMS. Divinely, soon after my return to Timor-Leste in December 2022, I qualified for

a scholarship from Mission Aviation Fellowship (International) (MAF) to study aviation engineering in Australia. I thank God for the open door and for providing for me when I applied for entry into the university. I went through the student visa application process after I was accepted. In the one-year wait, I gained first-hand knowledge of MAF as an intern, confirming my passion and interest in aviation and to help others through disaster relief work. I also served as a teaching assistant in SPMS. It was so remarkable to be teaching the next generation of youth, including my younger brother, back in my alma mater.

On 2 January 2024, I left Timor-Leste for Cairns, Australia to study aviation engineering. When I complete my university degree in 5 years, I will return to Timor-Leste to serve my people and the surrounding nations through the MAF. I believe God has charted my path by bringing me to study in SPMS in Timor-Leste, SFMS in Singapore, and now Australia. I hope that I will make a positive impact on my community and nation in the years to come.

It takes a village to raise a child. Thank God that our village is not defined by geographical boundaries. It is a kingdom village; one where different members of God’s kingdom come together with resources of time, finances, and expertise to raise the next generation of young people. I have benefitted from being in God’s village, and I pray I will be a blessing to many others in Timor-Leste and wherever I go.

Manuel’s graduation from SFMS in 2022.

Aldersgate MC praying for Manuel.

Manuel at Changi Airport, departing for Timor-Leste. On his left is the Loo Family.

Manuel at the Timor airport with the Chan family, Jo, Han Chew, and Jeremy.

Vietnam

JOURNEY OF LEARNING

TO FOLLOW AND OBEY

Qinying Lin

I first got to know Pastor Leslie, pastor of the International Christian Fellowship (ICF), and his wife, Aunty (a term of endearment) Linda, when he was a pastor at Fairfield Methodist Church. Before I asked Aunty Linda to disciple me in 2015, I had a vision of me visiting them in Vietnam for a period of time to see what the mission field is like.

However, it was only in 2017 that I first visited ICF. Little did I know that it would be the start of many more short trips there, each ranging from a few days to a month. While it would have been nice to write of how I had been a blessing to the people and ministries there, the truth was that I kept going back only because I was so blessed each time I went.

I kept going back only because I have been so blessed each time I go.

During these trips, I would largely shadow Pastor Leslie or Aunty Linda going for life group meetings, meeting people, visiting orphanages, planning for Christmas events, and basically being involved in various aspects of church life.

On the first few trips, I remember being anxious before the trips because I did not know the day-today details of what I was going to do until I arrived there. It was unlike most other short-term mission trips where we would generally plan out all the programmes for each day, and might even prepare a few backup plans. Through this, I learnt to be more flexible with how God would lead and also to be willing to get out of my comfort zone to try things I have never tried before.

Member of Fairfield Methodist Church. She was told that she looks like a Vietnamese in this attire - many Vietnamese ride motorbikes wearing a jacket that helps to protect against both the sun and rain.

Qin helping to host the Leong family from Aldersgate Methodist Church (2019).

Qin helping out in the 2019 Christmas programme at Sunrise Shelter.

Beyond the things I have done, my deepest lessons have often been impressed upon my heart while doing life and ministry with Pastor Leslie, Aunty Linda, and the other leaders of ICF. Their passion and love for our Lord and His people there, and the intensity and single-mindedness with which they give of themselves to serve Him and others, showed me many glimpses of the Word become flesh, and of the kind of person I want to become in the Lord. In the seven years I have been visiting ICF, God has given me so much joy witnessing lives transformed by the Word and the power of the Holy Spirit - mine included.

As I wait upon the Lord to (finally!) lead me to serve full-time there, I am thankful that the season of visiting and exploring the field has been also my journey of learning to follow and obey my Lord Jesus Christ. No doubt it has been a journey filled with much fears, doubts, and uncertainties (and I have gotten many rebukes for them ), yet through it all, I have come to know Him more deeply. And in knowing Him, I am convicted that He is worthy of my giving all to Him. I definitely have gained and learned much from being on internship, and would encourage anyone who has felt God’s calling and heart for the nations to go on one too!

Qin having lunch with the ladies’ team from Fairfield Methodist Church (2018) who taught English to the girls at Sunrise Shelter.

Qin with the young adults at the soccer night. Being a football fan, she was thrilled to be able to watch the Vietnam team win the SEA Games in 2019 and 2022 in Vietnam. Various meet-ups at ICF.

MMS FAMILY

Welcome

With excitement, we are glad to introduce Rev Erick Tan, our new Director for Centre for Missions Analysis, Reconstruction and Development (CeMiRe&D), who took over this role with effect from 1 January 2024. He will explore the missiological trends that have direct or indirect impact and implications on the mission of MMS. He will conduct in-depth analysis and reflections of the ecclesiological needs of the fields, and develop suitable training and equipping programme for the National Leaders of their respective mission via reconstruction.

To most of us, Rev Erick is not an unfamiliar face. That’s because he was our pioneer missionary who started the work in Nepal together with his wife, Shanti, in 1998. They have three children; two of whom were born in Nepal. He is an Elder of the Chinese Annual Conference (CAC) and has served as an Associate Pastor at several CAC churches. He is passionate about cross-cultural missions, church planting, church growth, and pastoral ministry. And his ministry experience also includes missional business, crisis relief, missionary care, and ministering to the poor, marginalised and disenfranchised.

Dear Lord, we thank you for bringing Ps Erick back to serve in MMS. May You continue to use him mightily for Your Kingdom’s purpose. We pray that the work of his hands will continue to bring You glory. May You grant him Your favour and grace to carry out Your work. Amen.

General Donation (where it is most needed)

Crisis Relief Fund (General)

Rev Dr Clarence Lim Missionary Development Fund

Student Sponsorship Scheme (Non-Residential)* General

@ S$60 per month (wef 1 August 2023)

Cambodia / Laos / Nepal / Thailand / Timor-Leste

Student Sponsorship Scheme (Residential)* General

@ S$145 per month (wef 1 August 2023)

[ ] COSI (Cambodia)

[ ] COSY (Cambodia)

[ ] Sophia’s Home (Nepal)

[ ] Mettakij Hostel (Thailand)

[ ] Term Fun Home (Thailand)

[ ] Sundermeier Home (Timor-Leste)

Cambodia Church Planting Ministry

Staff & Ministry Support

Methodist School of Cambodia

COSI

COSY

Post COSI Integration Programme

National Pastors Support

East Asia

Ministry Support

GIFT DETAILS

Laos Staff & Ministry Support

Community Development

Nepal

Community Development

Staff & Ministry Support

Sponsorship and donations of tertiary studies for:

- Sophia’s Home girls

- Pastors’ children

Thailand

Staff & Ministry Support

Little Candles School Building & Furnishing Fund

Students Bursary Fund for VMS & LCS

Ministry Vehicle for Payakapum Methodist Church

Timor-Leste

Staff & Ministry Support

St Paul Methodist School Building Fund

Vietnam

Vietnam SSS General/Children’s Fund Community Support Fund

Printing And Postage Cost

Harvest Force, PrayerConnect, etc.

Others (please specify):

Welcome

We welcome our new Missionary Intern, Jo Koh, from Charis Methodist Church.

Greeting from Jo:

Hello! my name is Jo Koh. I’m been here in Timor-Leste as a missionary intern since 1 January 2024. Before this, I have since 2017 made a few short trips here. I am the Public Relations Manager with St Paul Methodist School. Currently, we have about 800 students and over 70 staff. And I will be organising events and handling the communications channels for the parents, teachers, stakeholders, partners, and churches. I will also be teaching arts & crafts and communications media with the higher-grade students through interest groups. I hope to be able to explore and inspire the students and community to know more about who God is through arts and creation care. I love gardening and enjoy taking long hikes around nature. I love to craft and sew too. Language will be one of my biggest challenges as I am not very good with language learning. So, I hope to be able to pick up the local language through conversations and in learning from the students and community. I hope to have ministry partners come alongside to create programmes such as arts & crafts, creative media, creation care, as well as to explore ways to reach out and teach the students. May these students become interested in these areas so that we can share His word creatively. I also hope to have ministry partners who can assist in designing and communications via collaterals for the school.

Dear Lord, we lift up Jo to You. We pray that she will guard her daily devotion and connection with You. May she be able to adapt well to the new culture. May she quickly pick up the language through conversations and in learning with the students and community. While she is in Timor-Leste, we pray that she will be wise to discern the spiritual environment and ministry needs. May she be sensitive to God’s heart for His people in this country. May You send more people to support her creative ministry. Amen.

Our hearts are full of gratitude for the faithful service of our missionaries, Rev See Swee

Fang, See Jin Hoe, and Rev Tan CK, who retired on 31 December 2023.

Rev See and Jin Hoe returned to Singapore in November 2023 after having served as houseparents at Dunamis House in Timor-Leste since January 2020.

Rev Tan has been officially appointed to serve in East Asia since August 2009.

Noel Tam, who started serving as an MMS missionary in March 2012, has ended his service as a Regional Director on 29 February 2024. We are grateful for his leadership in the Home Office (as a Home Director) as well as over Nepal, Cambodia, and Vietnam (as a Regional Director).

We are thankful for the countless lives they have touched and the many seeds they have sown throughout their years of dedicated service. As they enter this season of rest and reflection, we pray for God’s abundant blessings upon them. We pray for grace, joy, and renewed purpose as they enter the next chapter of serving God in their various ministries.

Dear Lord, grant Rev See, Jin Hoe, Rev Tan, and Noel good health, peace, and a deep sense of fulfilment as they enjoy the fruit of their labour. May they continue to be a source of inspiration and encouragement. Amen.

LET GO AND LET GOD!

Jeremy Lee

Jeremy and his wife, Alicia, are members of Wesley Methodist Church. Prior to this mission trip, he was in the healthcare sector helping seniors age gracefully and investigating tuberculosis clusters in Singapore. With renewed faith from God, he is seeking to return to the healthcare sector to make a difference in people’s health.

Timor-Leste is a country nestled in South-East Asia between Indonesia and Australia. With a population of less than 1.3 million, 97.5% Catholics and 21 times bigger than Singapore, this young country was the place where God led wife, Alicia, and I for our 6-month Missions Internship Training & Exposure (MITE) experience from July to December 2023.

I have experienced what it is like to have faith in God and also witnessed the goodness of God being exhibited.

This mission trip started because I felt led by God to be on the ground and do something more for His kingdom. Taking the step of faith, I left my job to join the MITE programme as I believe that when God calls, I have to seize the opportunity from God and trust wholeheartedly that He will provide. Looking back at this 6-month MITE programme, I was given a first-hand experience of the amazing work that God is doing in Timor-Leste through St Paul Methodist School (SPMS), one that definitely cannot be accomplished solely by human strength.

I have experienced what it is like to have faith in God and also witnessed the goodness of God being exhibited. During the start of

the mission trip, I did not know how I could serve in a school as I neither have any classroom teaching experience nor any prior knowledge of the education sector. Even though my educational background is in biomedical science with work experiences in healthcare administration, an area vastly different from the education sector, God was still able to plug me nicely into His kingdom assignment. I was able to make full use of

Jeremy teaching in St Paul Methodist School.

Jeremy and Alicia in front of the new St Paul Methodist School.

my undergraduate knowledge to teach biology to Grade 10 & 11 students. God is indeed amazing as I was able to join a teachers’ training programme conducted in August to be equipped with the foundations of teaching. I was also tasked to teach a subject that I liked and had undergraduate experience in. God had indeed equipped me to perform the role set out for me. Even though I didn’t know it when I said “yes” to Him!

God’s goodness and providence did not stop here. My wife and I were also given the opportunity to co-lead the planning and execution of post-exam activities for the whole school. It was an uphill task as 10 activities had to be implemented over 9 days for 605 students. Initially during the planning phase, I was worried and concerned that these activities were too large scale and complex to be implemented. Moreover, managing 605 students was no mean feat. However, the theme for the post exam activities, which was “In Faith, We Move”, was a constant reminder to me. In faith, we must entrust everything to God, submitting, surrendering and yielding ourselves to Him even though the task may seem insurmountable. God will never give you more than you can handle because Paul tells us: “God is faithful, and

Jeremy with some students from his Primary and Secondary classes.

Jeremy, Alicia, and their hosts, the Chan family.

Post-exam activity.

Moving into the new school: Many hands make light work!

he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) I have also learnt to move in obedience and venture with endurance, and the result is witnessing God’s hand at work in making each and every post exam activity a success.

I am extremely thankful that God assigned me different roles to

contribute towards His kingdom during my 6 months in Timor-Leste in 2023, where I served as a biology teacher and also supported the operations function. For example, I helped SPMS to prepare for Minister for Foreign Affairs (Singapore), Dr Vivian Balakrishnan’s visit to SPMS in July 2023. All in all, the MITE programme to Timor-Leste has allowed me to experience the goodness of God and how faith can move mountains in the work of His kingdom.

To all who are considering serving in the field but may be unsure how you can help, I want to encourage you and say that when you take that first bold step of faith to serve, God will walk alongside you for the subsequent steps in your faith journey. Do not worry about how you can serve because God knows the gifts and talents that He has given you and they will fit nicely into His kingdom assignment for you. Let go and let God!

About MITE

MMS Missions Internship Training and Exposure (MITE) is a programme designed to send believers to the mission fields for 1 to 6 months. It is an opportunity to give your best to God! To find out more, visit https://www.mms.org.sg/mite or email mms@methodist.org.sg

SPMS Honours Day: Declare His Glory, for He is Faithful.

Jeremy and Alicia with Singapore’s Foreign Minister in Timor-Leste. Boys Brigade Programme every Friday.

COLLABORATION IN

Alvin Tan Chairperson of MMS. He is a member of Grace Methodist Church.

Vibrancy in missions is about being relevant and involved in the transformative work that God has put in our collective hearts to do.

The adage, “It takes a village to raise a child”, particularly holds true when it comes to the Methodist community coming together to advance missions. For missions to grow and transform societies deeply and impactfully, the entire community is called to offer its diverse and abundant gifts in blessing those we serve. As a community, what we have to offer collectively can be used by God in far more widespread ways than what we have to offer individually.

Editor’s Note: This article was first published in the December 2023 issue of Methodist Message.

Consider one of our youngest fields, Timor-Leste, as an example. MMS first started a hostel in 2016 to care for high school students from remote, mountain villages. Seeing a need to allow these students to transition seamlessly to tertiary education, a second hostel was established in 2019 to cater to university students and those undergoing vocational training. In the area of education, what started as a ministry to teach Christian values to one class of 7th graders in rented premises, has now progressed to the setting up of a modern, well-equipped school, with boarding facilities for students from Grades 1-12. Beyond being discipled, the beneficiaries are being equipped to transform their own communities. These ministries are already bearing fruit, and much more will be yielded in ways we cannot imagine as the blessings of God ripple throughout this new nation.

MMS ministries in Timor-Leste have benefitted from the combined contributions and efforts of missionaries from all three Annual Conferences, donors and volunteers from multiple cell groups and

Aldersgate Methodist Church and Holland Village Methodist Church running a Grade 9 Camp in June 2023.

churches, a charitable trust, three schools and countless professionals and individuals from within the Singapore Methodist community. Any of these on their own would likely find it too difficult to carry the financial and human resource burdens required for the continued growth of these ministries.

We are thankful for partners who have given sacrificially to these ministries over the years, and to the many partners and donors in all our ministries in the various MMS mission fields.

Vibrancy in missions is about being relevant and involved in the transformative work that God has put in our collective hearts to do—sharing the gospel, teaching Christian values, alleviating poverty, building human capacity, and church planting. This vibrancy in missions is, in turn, reflected in our joy in the Lord, fulfilment of our earthly purpose, and in our worship in real and practical terms.

Each partner church or group should embrace the ministries and initiatives they support as their own, the field church as their own daughter church, and the believers as their own disciples. As in the example of Timor-Leste, only then can the ministries develop organically and expand to meet other areas of need.

While partners are encouraged to treat each field ministry as their own, MMS continues to serve an important role as it provides the framework that holds all the initiatives together, through clear strategic direction and strong governance processes, as well as to be in communication with and to the wider community.

MMS COLLABORATION OFFER

- Equip and facilitate the growth and development of missions across the denomination

- Promote missions, mobilise and rally resources in service of the field

- Lead in field development through a clear roadmap and strategy

- Disciple and nurture field clergy and lay leadership

- Administer missionary support system and ensure missionary welfare

- Ensure robustness of systems and policies for Governance, Stewardship and Accountability

MMS and the entire Methodist community are on a journey together, one in which MMS hopes to become the missions agency of choice to the community. We look forward to having deeper conversations with the local churches, Annual Conferences and the wider community on how we can work together effectively, for the glory of God.

CONTACT US FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Ms Grace Chung

Stakeholder Engagement Manager

Methodist Missions Society

Email: grace.chung@methodist.org.sg

Contact: +65 8388 2383

Sabai dental team sharing healthy teeth habits.

Women’s Society of Christian Service from Aldersgate Methodist Church teaching students sewing skills.

LOVE AND CHERISH

Rev Leslie Lim

MMS Country Director for Vietnam. He and his wife, Linda, have been serving together as missionaries for more than eight years.

As children growing up, we were familiar with fairy tales of how a prince would win the hand of his beloved princess in marriage and how they would then walk into the sunset in the horizon and live happily ever after! Who would not dream of this, fantasise at the romance? “But I do know one and one is two. And if this one could be with you, what a wonderful world this would be!” (Don’t Know Much About History by Sam Cooke, 1959)

And then, many of us, if not all, kind of wake up to reality the day after our wedding!

A PICTURE GOD HAS FOR US – A GOSPEL TO THE WORLD

Marriage depicts a pictorial word of the relationship between Christ and the Church. A healthy family is our greatest witness to a lost world.

A healthy marriage is a means to help Christians have a strong evangelism opportunity.

Well, that’s when the rubber hits the road: The chaotic conditions of our fallen world collide our lives, causing serious turbulence. There will be the commotion of working life and managing of monies, wealth, and health. The perils of the Fall bring our hopes crashing down and turn life into a roller coaster.

These perils of the Fall challenge the content of our wedding vow: “to love and to cherish”. Our real-world experiences drive the married couple towards failing to fulfil their wedding vows.

The coming together of two persons to become one was designed and introduced to mankind in Genesis. Marriage is ordained and instituted by the Creator Himself. The marriage union foreshadows the mystery of Christ’s love for His Church.

“This is because the traditional (wedding) ceremony involves the making of a covenant. The whole idea of covenant is deeply rooted in biblical Christianity. The Bible teaches that our very redemption is based on a covenant. Much could be said here about the character of the biblical covenants, but one vital facet is that none of them is a private matter. Every covenant is undertaken in the presence of witnesses. This is why we invite guests to our weddings. It is so they will witness our vows—and hold us accountable to keep them. It is one thing for a man to whisper expressions of love to a woman when no one will hear, but it is quite another thing for him to stand up in a church, in front of parents, friends, ecclesiastical or civil authorities, and God Himself, and there make promises to love and cherish her. Wedding vows are sacred promises made in the presence of witnesses who will remember them.”

(R.C. Sproul)

The commitment and faithfulness made by a man to his woman is a picture of how Christ is tied to His Wife and remains committed and faithful to His Bride till the end of the age. The Bible tells us that marriage points to the final marriage of Christ, the Bridegroom, with His Bride, the Church. From this perspective, a healthy marriage is a means to help Christians have a strong evangelism opportunity. A faithful Christian

marriage preaches the gospel with godly kingdom values to the world that is falling apart. Faithfulness is a foreign word in this age. Our commitment to our spouse is a way, “we preach the gospel at all times, [and] if necessary, use words.”

After our wedding day and onwards, it is not romantic love that will pull us through thick and thin but our vows before the Almighty. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we take up the courage to fight on whatever comes our way to keep true to our vows: “for better, for worse … and to love and to cherish.”

In the age of infidelity, how do we keep loving and cherishing our spouse?

If you ask me, it is the word Respect. To Love, Respect, and Cherish is a much more balanced picture of what should be shared between a husband and wife.

The Bible clearly tells men ought to love their wives. Why? Because it is not natural for men to love. It is natural for men to give respect. Men can show their wives respect all day long, every day; but,

selfless love is not hard-wired into the male species.

In the same way, respect does not come easily from female counterparts. In our culture, we have grown up with the idea that all respect has to be earned. Just as the Bible tells men to love their wives unconditionally, it tells wives to respect their husbands unconditionally. The Bible does not teach wife to “respect your husband” if he loves her well, provides well, or leads his family well. It says to respect him. It is my suspicion that suspect, love comes naturally to womenfolk. Even when they are angry with their husbands ,they still have the ability to show love by serving their husbands (in cooking, cleaning, etc.).

Respect… is a different story. Not only do we struggle to show respect during angry or hurting times, but we feel justified in throwing disrespect, like rotten eggs that are thrown all over digital media!

Cherishing our spouse will go hand in hand with loving and respecting them. When one thinks of the word Cherish, what really comes to mind? The MerriamWebster dictionary defines the word “cherish” in the following ways: to hold dear, feel or show affection for, to keep or cultivate with care and affection, to entertain or harbour in the mind deeply and resolutely.

Cherishing someone we love is similar, but much deeper. The people we cherish are those we kind of want to protect and give our best care to. When we cherish someone, we put them first and we give them the best we have to offer. The ones we cherish are the ones we enjoy serving.

We are called to go out to make disciples of all nations. It is something like going out to find a wife in a certain place, to love and cherish her for the sake of the Kingdom. It is a sacrificial love to go and make disciples, preparing the bride for our Lord Jesus and then to be presented before our Father God when the time comes.

We are merely following the footsteps of our Lord Jesus, who loves us so much so that He came from heaven to earth to redeem us from the slavery of sin and death. We go out “to plunder hell and to populate heaven.” The Lord cherishes us so much that He counted it as a joy even when He had to serve us by His sacrificial death on the Cross. We too count it a joy in the midst of trying to love and cherish our disciples whom the Lord has given us to help them grow to full maturity in Christ.

Our Groom had done so much for His Bride, to love us and cherish us, now what have we done for Him?

Rev Leslie Lim with his wife, Linda.

SERVING THE LORD IN WHATEVER YOU DO

OUR WORK - AN EXPRESSION OF LIVING OUT OUR CALLING

Prof

Dennis Lee

Director,

Strategic Planning and Capacity Building. He was a Visiting Professor with Copenhagen Business School, a Fellow with Singapore University of Social Sciences, a Professor with Shantou University, and an alumnus of Regent College (MTS ‘88 & MDiv ‘89). He is a member of Kum Yan Methodist Church, and enjoys playing rugby, futsal, skiing, and snowboarding.

Our vocation is our mission and our workplace, our mission field.

“Whatever you do, work heartily... You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24

What comes to your mind when you think of “work”? Is work a curse or a blessing? Is work a means to an end? Do we only work out of economic necessity? Some Christians may even feel that secular work is a spiritual hindrance, thinking, “if I could just get out of the rat race then I can be holy and really go on with God to serve him in missions.”

Editor’s Note: This article was first published in the February 2024 issue of Methodist Message.

A Christian mission is an organised effort to carry out the work of evangelism, education, medical and/ or community development and services, with the goal of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Missions involves sending individuals and groups usually across boundaries,

most commonly geographical boundaries. So, a Christian missionary is one who chooses to respond to God’s call—a summon or invitation—to carry out his work in an assigned workplace that we describe as “the mission field”.

Some say that Christian missions work is a “vocation”, while others say it is a “calling”. Which is it? Some do not think that secular work should be described as a “calling”.

The dictionary definition of “vocation” is a particular occupation, business, or profession.1 A vocation is an occupation to which a person is especially drawn or for which they are suited, trained or qualified.2

Vocation is not a biblical idea. However, the significance of this idea

What comes to your mind when you think of “work”? Is work a curse or a blessing? Is work a means to an end?

is overwhelming in both modern secular and church culture. In the history of the church, “vocation” and “calling” became interchangeably used. 3 This has caused confusion.

Which brings me to my point. We are not called (κλητός)4 to a vocation! Rather, we are called to Christ, to live out that calling in whatever vocation or workplace that we are placed or choose to be in. The virtue is not in the vocation (that is, the occupation or profession we choose to be in) nor the workplace (for example, the mission field) but in living the calling of God in our vocation at the workplace, whether one is a missionary, teacher, doctor, nurse, taxi driver, cleaner, etc. As the Apostle Paul urged, let us live a life worthy of the calling (κλήσεως)5 we have received (Ephesians 4:1).

How then do we live out God’s calling, as a teacher in the classroom, an engineer at the worksite, a nurse in the hospital, or a missionary in the mission field? The same question is asked by Christians of different vocations everywhere. How may we be a part of what God is doing?

While we do not know the fullest work of God who makes everything (Ecclesiastes 5:11). we can contemplate the greatness and goodness of God (Job 38-39), knowing He works for good from creation to consummation.

The fact that we are working at all is God’s sustaining work! Remember he is not limited to the Church; he is as present in Shenton Way as he is in a Cambodian orphanage.

So why do we feel a sense of resistance to work, whether it is secular work or working in a fulltime ministry or as a missionary?

Perhaps it is because we are drawn to “mammon”, the biblical term for riches, often used to describe the influence of material wealth.

Mammon represents security for most people, and Christians are no exception. Prosperity is a global goal. It is one of our three national goals, enshrined in our Pledge.

Then, there is technology’s powerful grip. Technology, like wealth, is essentially good, but they can become co-opted by the evil one. However, the good news is that Christ has disarmed these powers (Colossians 2:15).

The virtue is not in the vocation nor the workplace but in living the calling of God in our vocation at the workplace. Whatever you do, work heartily, for you are serving the Lord Christ.

To overcome, we need spiritual disciplines, ways of clearing aside the obstacles so that we can be found by our seeking Father.

How do we develop spirituality at our workplace? It used to be an in-thing to pursue work-life balance. Nowadays, we speak of work-life integration. Jesus did not live a balanced life. There were times when he was so engaged, he did not eat (Mark 6:31, 35). But he lived a disciplined life; when he dismissed the crowd and went up to the mountain alone to commune with the Father (Mark 1:35). We need this rhythm of engagement and withdrawal. We need to engage the world, our colleagues, family and friends in both secular and Christian arenas, have conversations and social discourses that keep us relevant. But we also need to withdraw from the world – to meditate on Scripture, read the bible, commune with God, which are spiritual disciplines. Our challenge is that everybody is working harder and longer!

As William Diehl said, “The biggest gap between our confessed theology on Sunday, that we are saved

by grace through faith and not by works, and our experience on Monday is ‘works righteousness’.”6 Our actions betray our belief that our identity and worth are based entirely on what we do and how well we do it. So, on Sunday we say, “Wah, saved by grace!” On Monday, it is “performance reviews”.

In developing spirituality at work, we need to exercise the consciousness and presence of God in our conversations at the workplace, like Nehemiah did (Nehemiah 2:1-8). Build reflection and contemplation into our work as a routine. Have an object at our workplaces that reminds us of God’s presence. Practise hospitality and kindness in our conversations and actions with our colleagues.

Work itself is the arena for personal and spiritual growth. It may also reveal our Achilles heel. It is where our (seven deadly) sins find expression— pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, anger, and sloth. But it is also where the (nine-fold) fruit of the Spirit can be manifested—love, joy, peace (Godly characteristics), gentleness, loyalty, self-control (about us), goodness, kindness, and patience (our

relationships with others)—in us. Our resource is the Holy Spirit.

We can live out God’s calling in whatever vocation and workplace we are in. Our vocation is

our mission and our workplace, our mission field. The virtue is not in the vocation nor the workplace but in living the calling of God in our vocation at the workplace. Whatever you do, work heartily, for you are serving the Lord Christ.

Footnote:

1https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/ vocation#:~:text=(vo%CA%8Ake%C9%AA%CA%83%C9%99n,which%20involves%20helping%20other%20people.

2https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocation#:~:text=A%20vocation%20(from%20Latin%20vocatio,are%20 suited%2C%20trained%20or%20qualified.

3 In Protestantism, the call from God to devote one’s life to him by joining the clergy (i.e. clerical vocation) is often covered by the English equivalent term “call”, whereas in Roman Catholicism “vocation” is still used.

4 https://biblehub.com/greek/2822.htm

5“Calling” (κλῆσις, κλήσεως, ἡ καλέω) https://biblehub.com/greek/2821.htm

6 William E. Diehl (1991), The Monday Connection: A Spirituality of Competence, Affirmation, and Support in the Workplace, San Francisco: Harper San Francisco.

Missionary Bucket Challenge

Missions Ideas for Kids

Hey there! This is a new segment to connect with our children and engage them in missions. We hope that the parents and teachers amongst us will find the materials useful. If you have other helpful resources to share, please let us know.

I was only about six or seven years old when I heard a story about a missionary named John on a faraway island who gave his whole life to telling people about Jesus. And I remember thinking I want to do that and that’s what I did.

Now I didn’t get to move to a faraway island as I kindof wanted to, but I’m actually not healthy enough to do that. I did become a missionary when I grew up though and I got to help thousands of kids all around the world learn about Jesus. And it all started way back when I was just a kid. That’s one reason I think it is super important to teach kids about missions and missionaries at a very young age. It prepares them for a lifetime of being involved in missions.

Today, I want to show you a simple way to teach your kids about missions. I call it “Missionary Bucket Challenge”. The basic idea is super simple. Get a small bucket, put a missionary’s name on it and challenge the kids to pray for that missionary and put money in the bucket all month long. At the end of the month, you take the bucket to your church and put the money in the mission’s Offering. That’s it.

I know it’s not exactly earth-shattering or revolutionary but it is intentionally helping us involve our kids in missions in several ways. First, the bucket is a visual reminder to talk about and pray for a specific missionary all month long. You can pick up buckets at crafting stores. I use one with a chalkboard on the front so I can write things on it like the missionary’s name. But you could also just tape a sign to your Missionary Bucket.

This month, we’re raising money to help a missionary named Kathy to buy a new used car for her ministry.

The bucket also helps your kids develop a habit of giving to missions and enjoying it.

I wrote “Kathy” on the bucket and talked to my kids about who she is, what she does, and why she needs to buy another car. I can even put something in the bucket to remind my kids about what the missionary does or what specific project it is that we’re raising money for.

For instance, since we’re helping Kathy to buy a car, we could put a toy car into our bucket. Or if we were raising money for a missionary who is a bible translator, we could put a small pocket Bible in our bucket. Or maybe if we were raising money for a missionary who needed to travel around the world, we could put a tiny little globe or maybe a toy airplane to remind the kids that they can buy plane tickets. You can put objects in the buckets to help your kids think about whatever it is that the money is going to be used for.

Then we put our bucket in the living room, where we see it every day. I think it’s decorative and looks nice. If you don’t like buckets, you could use any kind of container that’s kid friendly. You can even tie a bow on the handle if you really want to get fancy.

The bucket reminds me to pray for that missionary with my kidsmultiple times throughout the month. So that’s one way it helps me be intentional about missions.

The bucket also helps your kids develop a habit of giving to missions and enjoying it. When we find spare coins in a parking lot, we can put them in the Missionary Bucket. When I come home from the store, I can divide up my change among my little kids and they love putting it in the Missionary Bucket. When they get money for their birthday, we challenge them to put a little bit of it in the Missionary Bucket. And they’re usually really excited to do that. We also offer some small jobs for them to do as a way for them to earn money to put in the bucket. It’s not loads of money but it’s intentionally teaching our kids to think about giving to missionaries.

My wife and I also put some of our own money in the bucket to set an example in giving to missions. Now, we

do most of our giving electronically but our kids can’t see that. And my son actually asked a few months ago, “Why do you always tell us to give our money but you don’t give anything?” And as I thought about it, I realised he can’t actually see us giving. We were giving but he couldn’t see it because it’s all online. So, that was actually part of the inspiration for this idea. I wanted a way we would be intentional about giving as a family in a way that was tangible for our kids.

The bucket also helps kids understand a direct connection between their giving and world missions. At the end of the month, I put the money in an envelope and then put the envelope back in the bucket for one of my kids to hold in the car all the way to church. It’s a really special privilege to hold the bucket all the way to church. And then when we get to church, they get to walk the bucket all the way into church and put the envelope into the offering plate. And then I take the bucket and put it on a shelf so it’s not a distraction during the service. And we pick it up and take it home afterward.

Our church actually has a special offering for different missionaries every month called “Change for Change”. So that’s what we give this money to. And at the end of the month, one of the elders actually gets up and announces how much money was raised. And I get to whisper to my kids, “Part of that money came from your Missionary Bucket!” And their face lights up and they’re so excited.

On the next month, I write a new missionary’s name on the bucket and we start all over again. Our church even has a missionary handbook with pictures of the missionaries our church supports. And I can use it to teach my kids more about different missionaries. And guess what, it fits in the bucket! It’s like a cute little missions packet for kids.

This is just one of the things we do on purpose to teach our kids about missions and connect them with real live missionaries. Maybe it’s something you can do to help your kids or kids in your Sunday School class to learn about missions.

“Why do you always tell us to give our money but you don’t give anything?” And as I thought about it, I realised he can’t actually see us giving. We were giving but he couldn’t see it because it’s all online.

JESUS LOVES GOOD FOOD!

Rev Dr Gordon Wong 黄昌荣牧师（博士） 新加坡卫理公会会督 Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore.

Q: If you could only eat one type of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A: Bread and butter pudding with lots of custard.

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:34, NIV)

Are you a “foodie”?

I’m not. I like a good meal, but I probably “eat to live” rather than “live to eat.” But if you are a happy “foodie”, perhaps you might make John 4:34 your mantra. Jesus is a foodie who always craves a certain type of very good food.

“My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”

Perhaps the answer has to do with verse 34: Jesus alone is the One who has finished the work of sowing and producing the fruits of salvation. Our mission is to reap and share with others this wonderful fruit of Jesus’s work.

Our mission is to reap and share with others this wonderful fruit of Jesus’s work.

Jesus then changes his metaphor from eating food to sowing seeds (verses 35-38). But he tells his disciples that their mission is not to sow, but to reap the fruit that they did not do the work for (verse 38). Someone else has done the work of sowing. Now we are called to reap the harvest which is already ripe and ready (verse 35). Jesus has finished the work started by the Father (verse 34). Now we are commissioned to reap the wonderful fruit for which we did not do the work (verse 38).

Why does Jesus emphasise this point about someone having done the sowing whilst his disciples now only do the reaping (verse 37-38)?

If we return to Jesus’ earlier metaphor of food, perhaps we might say that Jesus has already finished the good food that the Father wanted him to have. Now Jesus sends us to share this same good food with others that we might together enjoy God’s good food prepared by Jesus.

Evangelism and Mission is simply sharing good news (and good food) which has already been cooked by Christ for everyone.

The next time we enjoy a good meal, let’s remember the wonderful food that Christ has already laid on His table, and let’s welcome everyone to enjoy the meal together.

Jesus sends us to reap that for which we have not worked (verse 38).

Thanks be to God.

耶稣热爱的

美食

耶稣宣称：“我的食物就是遵行差我來者的旨意，並且完成他 的工作。”（约翰福音 4:34，圣经新译本）

您是美食爱好者吗？

就我个人而言，我喜欢美味的餐食，但或许可以说我“为生 活而吃”而非“为吃而生活”。然而，如果你是一个对美食“蠢 蠢欲动”的爱好者，你或许可以考虑将约翰福音 4:34 作为 你的生活信条。耶稣也是“美食者”祂渴望吃某种特别美味 的食物。

“我的食物就是遵行差我來者的旨意，並且完成祂的工作。”

在这段经文中，耶稣将祂的比喻从进食转变为播种（35-38 节）。祂告诉门徒，他们的使命不是播种，而是收割他们未曾 付出辛劳的果实（第38节）。播种的工作已由他人完成。我们 现在被呼召去收割成熟的庄稼（35节）。耶稣已经完成天父 起始的工作（第34节）。我们被赋予使命去收割他人辛劳的 果实（38节）。

往后我们享用美食时， 让我们记住耶稣基督已经 在 的餐桌上摆好的美 味佳肴，欢迎所有人 一同享用盛宴。

为什么耶稣强调他人已经完成了播种，而祂的门徒现在只需要 负责收割（37-38节）？

这或许与第34节有关：唯有耶稣是完成播种和成就救恩者。我 们的使命是收割并与他人分享耶稣工作所结出的美好果实。

如果我们回顾耶稣之前关于食物的比喻，我们或许可以说，耶 稣已经享用了天父提供的美食。现在，耶稣差遣我们去与他人 分享这道美食，使我们可以与他人共同享耶稣为我们预备，源 自上帝的美食。

传福音和宣教本质上是分享好消息（和美食），那是基督为所有 人预备的。

往后我们享用美食时，让我们记住耶稣基督已经在祂的餐桌上 摆好的美味佳肴，欢迎所有人一同享用盛宴。

耶稣差遣我们去收割我们未曾付出辛劳的庄稼（第38节）！

感谢赞美上帝！