school Boardsempowering education
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
Senders who are members of local church missions committees, denominational missions boards, or missions agencies
Short-term missionaries preparing for cross-cultural assignments of 6–24 months
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.
PERMIT NUMBER MCI (P) 014/01/2024
ADVISOR Jul 2024
Rev Derrick Lau
EDITOR
Leongheng
PROOFREADER
Wendy Tan
CHINESE PROOFREADER
Goh Tuan Gee
TRANSLATORS
Henry Wang, Thng Pheng Soon
PHOTO CREDITS:
Daniel Loo, David Chan, Gracia Chiang, Henry Yeo, Jason Chin, Jessie Sing, Kelvin Quak, Lionel Lee, Lin Qinying, Marion Tan, Ong Teong Hoon, Timothy Tan, Woo Li Chun
DISTRIBUTION & SUPPORT
Eileen Lim, Helen Tan, Tan Poh Ling & Delighters
DESIGNER
5Stones Pte Ltd
PRINTER
Print & Print Pte Ltd
PUBLISHER
Rev Derrick Lau
70 Barker Road #06-01, The Methodist Centre Singapore 309936 Tel: 6478 4818
MMS IS SOCIAL!
Connect with us and never miss an update mms@methodist.org.sg www.mms.org.sg mms.org.sg mms.org.sg
t.me/mmsorgsg @mms_org_sg mms_org_sg
COVER School Boards - Empowering Education
PHOTO CREDIT
Stock Image with digital illustration. Richard Soh
FIRst WoRD
g Ministry of Schools in MMS Mission Fields
g Country Information
g Opportunities to Serve
FIeLD FeAtURe g timor-Leste He uses our 5 Loaves and 2 Fishes g east Asia Drug Rehabilitation Mission g thailand Notes from the Dairy of a Church Planter Dedication Service for Little Candles Methodist School
HoMe In on…
FeAtURe stoRy
g Interview with the Current School Board Chairman – Marion tan
g Interview with the Former School Board Chairman – ong teong Hoon
g Interview with the Current School Board Chairman – Paul Gwee
g Interview with the Former School Board Chairman – Dr eileen Aw
g Interview with the Former School Board Vice Chairman – Jason Chin
g Interview with the Current School Board Chairman – BG (Ret) Prof emeritus Lionel Lee
MInIstRy oF sCHooLs
In MMs MIssIon
Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Psalm 34:11
The establishment of schools has been an integral part of the strategic focus of the development of the
FIeLDs
families associated with the schools.
Paul Methodist school in Metinaro, timor Leste (https://www.spmstl. org). Currently, we have the privilege of addressing the educational needs of more than 2,000 students. Our Student Sponsorship Scheme provides financial subsidies to students from lower income families. (https://www.mms.org.sg/sss) and
Little Candles Methodist School.
L aying the foundation and framework for the setting up of a second Methodist School in the Kandal District, Cambodia.
We invite you to pray and provide your expertise in terms of enriching the ministry of our schools in the mission fields. Contact us at mms@methodist.org.sg to find out more.
St Paul Methodist School.
Vineyard Methodist School.
众弟子啊，你们当来听我的话！我要将敬畏 耶和华的道教训你们。
诗篇34:11
新加坡卫理公会自1885年立会以来，办校一直是发展策略的核心之一。
无数人深获蕴含在其课程和实践活动中的基督教价值观的熏陶和培育。
卫理宣教会秉承卫理宗丰富的传统和遗产，多年来竭力在宣教区开办学 校。这为分享福音提供了一个极佳的平台和机会，能触动和改变学校师 生、职员及其家庭成员的生命。
感谢上帝，我们先后开办了柬埔寨金边卫理学校(https://www. facebook.com/methschcam)、泰国清迈葡萄园卫理学校(https:// www.vms.ac.th)、泰国帕劳小蜡烛卫理学校(https://littlecandles.org) 、老挝万象新加坡学校(https://singaporemissionschool.com)、以及东 帝汶梅蒂纳罗的圣保罗卫理学校 (https://www.spmstl.org)。靠着主的 恩典，卫宣很荣幸能为2000多名学生提供教育。学生资助计划也为低收 入家庭的学生提供了经济补助 (https://www.mms.org.sg/sss) 。
这为分享福音提供了
一个极佳的平台和机会，能触动 和改变学校师生、职员及其 家庭成员的生命。
小蜡烛卫理学校
葡萄园卫理学校
圣保罗卫理学校
感谢委身的专属团队：在学校董事会担负领导职责的教会领袖 和会友，为提升教职员素质开办课程、研讨会和工作坊的教育 专家。渴望您也能在教育事工上有分参与，以祷告托住、支持以 学校执照和许可证时保持开放态度祷告
为柬埔寨干丹省开办第二所卫理学校 的基础框架奠定祷告；
我们诚邀您为禾场中的学校事工祷告，并以您的专长提供协 助。欲了解更多信息，请通过 mms@methodist.org.sg 与我 们联系。
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 41.
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.
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, Primary, and Secondary school teachers familiar with the Singapore curriculum to teach at SMS. Teachers may either serve a 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.
• Primary and Secondary school teachers to serve for 1 month to 1 year in SPMS, to do teacher training and build general staff capacity.
• Volunteers experienced in Hotel Front Office or F&B Services willing to teach a one-month vocational course between September to November this year.
Vietnam
• Mature Christian to come as tentmaker to help International Christian Fellowship (ICF) grow a small group. And be willing to be trained, learn, and understudy at ICF.
• 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.
• Qualified TEFL / TESOL teachers; Business entrepreneurs to set businesses (e.g. Crematorium or Language [English/Mandarin] tuition centres) by providing capital investment and advice/ guidance, and using their businesses to give job opportunities to other Christians as well as to bring in ministry staff/tentmakers from Singapore under their business 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.
My FAtHeR’s BUsIness FUnDRAIsInG BAnqUet 2024
Grace
Chung MMS Stakeholder Engagement and Home Director. She is the Chairperson of the MMS Banquet 2024 Committee.
MMs church building projects are a testament to the goodness of our heavenly Father, your bountiful generosity, and our commitment to mobilising the Methodist community in singapore to make disciples and multiply indigenous churches in this region.
Editor’s Note: The article was also published in the July 2024 issue of Methodist Message.
Methodist Missions Society (MMS) will be hosting a fundraising banquet on 25 August 2024 at the Fullerton Hotel. The annual “My Father’s Business” banquet has been titled “Ask of Me” this year, based on the Bible verse in Psalm 2:8, with the focus on galvanising support for the mission in Thailand and other MMS mission fields. The cost of the banquet has been fully sponsored by a donor, so that all funds raised can be channelled towards church planting work and community development efforts. The fundraising target for the banquet is S$700,000, which MMS hopes to raise from its supporters in the Methodist community. Bishop Dr Gordon Wong will be the guest-of-honour for the banquet.
Rev Derrick Lau, Executive Director of MMS, said, “We are reaching out to our valued supporters and members of the Methodist community, to actively pray and support our efforts to develop our national church leaders and provide resources for church-building projects in our mission fields. MMS church building projects are a testament to the goodness of our heavenly Father, your bountiful generosity, and our commitment to mobilising the Methodist community in Singapore to make disciples and multiply indigenous churches in this region.”
The evening will bring together church partners, donors, leaders and representatives from the mission fields. Methodist School of Music will provide the worship and music segment for the evening, while a group of
Mittaphab Methodist Church Children’s Ministry.
Shan youth will present a traditional dance item. There will also be an update on the status of St Paul Methodist School, which has been built from funds that were raised at an earlier fundraising banquet in 2019.
The funds raised will directly contribute to the following three areas.
1. Mittaphab Methodist Church
A Shan Service was started on 12 June 2016 as a preaching point under Shineforth Methodist Church (SFMC), located in Chiang Mai, Thailand. In 2019, the Shan group officially established a local church—Mittaphab Methodist Church (MPMC), which operates at the multi-purpose hall of Vineyard Methodist School. MPMC currently has about 10 Wa families, with local preacher Ah Chan Surin, teaching in the Wa language. There are plans to start a Wa service. The Wa people are an ethnic group originating from the northern part of the Shan state in Myanmar.
MPMC has outgrown its current space and facilities. More facilities are required to cater to MPMC’s present membership needs and future growth. MMS missionary Angela Sng and her husband are now spearheading this ministry.
Baptism of Mittaphab Methodist Church member.
Mittaphab Methodist Church Family Day.
Mittaphab, which means “friendship” in Thai, will be a church that connects with the Shan community, works with the village heads, establishes God’s presence through sharing the Word of God and community services, with the aim of introducing them to the greatest friend of all, our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Thung Yao Preaching Point
SFMC, together with Rev Cassandra Lee, a missionary from MMS, started the Paddy Plant Children’s Club in June 2012 at the invitation of the Thung Yao village chief. The Club uses Thung Yao village’s multi-purpose hall to hold its activities. In January 2016, Thung Yao Preaching Point (TYPP) started to reach out to and make disciples of the Paddy Plant children, their parents and guardians. TYPP is led by the Pastor-in-Charge, Rev Niwet Jawwin Naikham, and supported by Rev Cassandra Lee. In March 2020, TYPP purchased a piece of land with an area of 1,600 square meters near the present Children’s Ministry area, with the intention to build a church building.
In Thai culture, a visible place of worship is essential, as it symbolises God’s presence in an area where the majority are Buddhists. The acquired land has about seven villages within a 2 km radius with 5,000 residents. These
villages are located near Wat Mae Kaed Noi School, which has about 1,000 students, and Mae Cho University in Chiang Mai, providing further opportunities for outreach and evangelism.
Thung Yao Preaching Point site.
Thung Yao Preaching Point worship service.
3. MMS General Fund
To maintain the stability and continuity of the MMS field’s church planting and community development efforts, the mission fields rely on annual financial top-ups from the MMS General Fund to cover operational
deficits. These top-ups are crucial in ensuring that outreach work can continue without disruption.
For more information on how you can partner MMS, contact grace.chung@methodist.org.sg or call MMS at 6478 4818.
Thung Yao Preaching Point conducting an evangelistic activity with Grace Methodist Church mission team at Wat Mae Kaed Noi School.
InteRVIeW WItH tHe CURRent sCHooL BoARD
ARIon tAn
HF: What inspired you to volunteer for the School Board of Management for the Methodist School of Cambodia?
I recently commenced my role as a volunteer with the School Board of Management (SBM) for the Methodist School of Cambodia (MSC) in February of this year. My decision to embark on this journey was rooted in a sense of divine calling. This calling was reaffirmed during a poignant church service I attended while visiting Cambodia. It was there, amidst the congregation, that I was moved by the profound need for spiritual support among the people of Cambodia. Feeling compelled by the Spirit, I recognised a responsibility to answer this call and commit myself to serving God’s people in Cambodia.
It is a humbling privilege to join hands with God in this noble endeavour, reaching out to souls in need, both within Cambodia and beyond its borders. Indeed, the compassion of our Creator extends far and wide, and I am grateful for the opportunity to play a part in His work of compassion.
HF: Could you share a bit about your background and how it has prepared you for this role?
I was raised in a non-Christian household and only embraced Christianity later in my twenties. By the grace of God, my entire family also accepted Christ. My journey toward spiritual maturity has been marked by both struggles and revelations, as God has patiently illuminated my spiritual shortcomings through various life experiences. Throughout my adulthood, I have had the privilege of serving in diverse capacities, experiences which have enriched my faith and deepened my understanding of Christian stewardship. Over the course of 22 years, I had the honour of leading government and mission schools in Singapore. Additionally, for the past decade, I have chaired the preschool management committee at my local church.
Psalm 37:5 reminds us that God works with purpose, even in life’s challenges. While we may not always comprehend His ways, we are called to trust in His divine will. Reflecting on my past, I believe that the trials and triumphs I have encountered have been part of God’s intricate plan to prepare me for the journey ahead, including my current role in serving on the SBM of MSC.
HF: What are some of the key responsibilities and duties that come with being a chairman in the School Board of Management?
As Chairperson of the SBM, I am committed to following God’s guidance as I collaborate with the principal, staff of the MSC, and fellow SBM members. Together, our aim is to uphold principles of good governance and effective management to advance the school’s divine mission and bring its vision to fruition. Through unity and mutual support, we will strive to fulfil the school’s God-given purpose, ensuring that it remains a beacon of learning and spiritual growth for all who pass through its doors.
HF: Finally, how do you personally find fulfilment and satisfaction in your voluntary service on the School Board of Management?
It is the deepest desire of God’s heart to witness His people find salvation. I consider it an extraordinary privilege to stand alongside Christ in this pivotal work. While the time and resources I can contribute are insignificant compared to the immense sacrifice and boundless love demonstrated by Jesus, I am grateful for the opportunity to play a part in His divine plan.
May God empower us all to serve as vessels for spreading the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Christ to every corner of the earth, touching hearts and transforming lives wherever we go.
HF: How do you work with other board members to ensure the effective governance and management of the school?
Like the diverse functions of different parts of our body working harmoniously to sustain life, the Board’s members, comprising church representatives, volunteers, and school staff, collaborate with a unified objective: advancing Christ’s mission by nurturing the education and growth of young Cambodians. Each member of the Board holds a crucial role in fulfilling its collective functions, underscoring the significance of every individual’s contribution.
May God empower us all to serve as vessels for spreading the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Christ to every corner of the earth, touching hearts and transforming lives wherever we go.
InteRVIeW WItH tHe FoRMeR sCHooL BoARD CHAIRMAn –
onG teonG Hoon
HF: Can you share with us what initially inspired you to get involved with the Methodist School of Cambodia?
When Stephen Yeo, my predecessor, whom I have known since the days when I was the Local Church Executive Committee Chairman and he was the Sunday School Superintendent, approached me, I felt it was probably in order for me to reply in the affirmative, as I am based in Cambodia, and I am a Methodist. Steven’s request aligned with my being in that country.
HF: Could you recount a particularly memorable moment or experience during your visits to Cambodia that has stayed with you?
HF: What has been the most rewarding aspect of your time serving as Chairman of the school board?
It was most rewarding to see the above-average rate of passes in the national examinations rise over the past years and, most recently, where we had 92% passes against a national average of 73%. And we had a few A-grade students. Another B-grade student, who was on our social support scheme, is currently doing civil engineering.
HF: Throughout your tenure, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
To align our fees to be closer to that of commercial schools instead of benchmarking ourselves as a purely mission school with purely social objectives. The need to be financially sustainable as opposed to meeting social objectives remains a challenging balance for the school. To manage this challenge, we had a constant reminder that we must ourselves do well before we can continue to do good.
I have been based in Cambodia since 2011 and had worked in the country between 2000 and 2002. As an employer, I can say that workers can be better prepared and much of it can be traced to weak educational experiences in school. Thus, I had always felt the need in that area of development for Human Resources.
HF: As you step down from your role as Chairman, what do you hope your legacy will be within the school community?
To be remembered as one who balances the need for financial sustainability of the school while it remains a ministry of the Methodist church.
HF: What advice would you give to younger generations about the importance of service and dedication to causes close to their hearts?
One needs to balance between the call of the heart and the rationality of the head in heeding God’s call, whilst always heeding His prompting for the direction in which we should be leading.
HF: Looking back on your journey, are there any lessons you’ve learned that you wish you knew when you first began volunteering?
Being from the marketplace rather than a pastoral background, it would have helped if I have had a stronger sense of the pastoral heart rather than too strong a commercial pull in certain issues.
HF: How has your faith influenced and sustained you throughout your years of service?
It’s been a journey of faith, of striking a balance between work and calling, and trusting in God for wisdom in decision making and His provision. I believe God has placed me in the marketplace for a reason - to provide balance between pastoral practices and commercial mindsets, and always a balance between the head and the heart.
He never fails us, and He honours us when we honour Him.
HF: What do you envision for the future of the Methodist School of Cambodia, and how do you plan to stay involved in its mission?
The values imparted to school kids remain relevant, especially when I had feedback from friends who had spoken very highly of our alumni whom they had employed. It can continue to be the seeding ground for the gospel whilst it may take some time for it to bear fruit. Perhaps, a degree of boldness in vision in looking beyond Toul Kork (where we are currently located), and extending our mission field.
I will remain available for service to the school or other MMS agencies as long as I remain in the country.
HF: Finally, can you share with us how your experience with the Methodist School of Cambodia has impacted your own spiritual growth and understanding of God’s work in the world?
I see the hand of God at play, especially when we were confronted with declining revenues whilst at the same time, resisting the temptation to reduce the teachers’ salaries during COVID-19 until it reached a critical point where we had to call on MMS for assistance. Experiencing the smooth handling over to the new leadership is yet another of God’s grace and mercies at play. Remarkable national examination results, a board with sufficient experienced educationists and strong finances are all signs of God’s goodness. He never fails us, and He honours us when we honour Him.
HF: What are some of the key responsibilities and duties that come with being a chairman in the School Board of Management?
Working together as a diverse team for His glory.
HF: How do you work with other board members to ensure the effective governance and management of the school?
Praise the Lord for how He has brought like-minded volunteers to the Board and management team with diverse backgrounds and experiences in leadership and capabilities, including finance, legal, HR, and risk management.
HF: Can you highlight some significant achievements or milestones that the School Board of Management has accomplished during your tenure?
I just only started on the journey this January. Much has been achieved by the past team under the chairmanship of Dr Eileen Aw. We are indeed very grateful for her team’s contributions and will continue to carry on and extend her legacy by His guidance and provision.
HF: As a veteran volunteer, what advice would you give to those who are new to serving on the School Board of Management?
By any standard, I do not see myself as a veteran. But I would say as an encouragement to others, - no matter what we may have in our hands, give them to the Lord Jesus Christ. He will use them whether they are your talents, resources, time, etc. for His glory. I am reminded of this lesson in feeding of the 5000 by our Lord, where “there is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” (John 6:9) You will remember how they all had enough to eat and the left-overs gathered filled twelve baskets. What a great miracle! So, the Lord will use what we have; we just need to release all we have to Him.
HF: How do you see the role of the School Board of Management contributing to the mission and vision of the schools in these regions?
I am mindful of our mission and vision for SMS. Since its formation, the school has this written on the wall of the school’s hall: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) To this end and in all our endeavours, we will be mindful to create a holistic learning environment that not only nurtures academic excellence but also fosters spiritual growth, character formation, and a commitment to serving others in accordance with Christian principles, that our students may be the future leaders of Laos.
HF: What are some ongoing projects or initiatives that the School Board of Management is currently working on?
Working on extending the school’s coverage from kindergarten and primary to include secondary education. We are grateful how the Lord has been opening doors and resources for such next phases of growth for the school. We seek the support of prayers and resources from our supporters and volunteers. Case in point, how recently through prayers, the Lord has provided adequate funds for new premises to expand our kindergarten within a short time frame.
HF: Finally, how do you personally find fulfilment and satisfaction in your voluntary service on the School Board of Management?
Being obedient to His calling and knowing how through the collective efforts of the Board, school management, teachers, staff, volunteers, and prayer warriors, we will glorify the Lord in years to come over the lives of all the students who pass through the gates of SMS.
InteRVIeW WItH tHe sCHooL BoARD HAIRMAn – DR eILeen AW
HF: Can you share with us what initially inspired you to get involved with the Singapore Mission School in Laos?
Whatever you do, do with passion, as unto the Lord.
I strongly believe that being in a Christian school is the best way to introduce a child to Christ. The number of years the child is exposed to Christian songs, Christian stories, and Christian love must have an effect on the child. I was in Methodist Girls’ School (MGS) from Primary 1, and I served on the MGS Board for 27 years. I saw many students brought to Christ just by being in MGS.
Singapore Mission School (SMS) was in partnership with MMS for several years, but there was no School Board. As I had just stepped down from the MGS Board, I was approached by MMS to start the SMS School Board. I happily responded to the need.
HF: What has been the most rewarding aspect of your time serving as Chairman of the school board?
I thank the Lord for the wonderful experience of working with a like-minded and dedicated team, who contributed their varied expertise so graciously. What a joy to work together. Thankful for these members: Our prayer warrior, Sister Vongvaly Viravongsa, the Laotian member on our Board. The supportive former MMS Area Director, Teresa Wilborn. Lawyer Teresa Chan, guiding me gently on procedure and protocol. Arnold Khoo and Yeow Kok Liang inspiring us with the passion they put into starting the school.
Most appreciated and a pleasure to work with is my Vice-Chairman, Jason Chin. He shared fully his expertise in Education and Business Management. He also gave of his time without reserve, popping up in Loas when there was a need. He held weekly zoom meetings with staff. Also, most appreciated is our Finance volunteer, who is often found working into the wee hours of the day on SMS accounts - Seah Yen Goon, a highly qualified accountant, who put our financial systems in order. Our secretary, Silas Wong, joined us later and gave us great minutes of meetings.
HF: Throughout your tenure, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
a) Transforming a less formally run organisation into a “Corporation”. We had to set up systems to meet governance and compliance requirements. Thankfully we had on our team volunteers with Finance and Business expertise.
b) Recruiting professional teachers in English and trained teachers in Laos. “The Professional Volunteer Scheme” helped to get a few trained teachers from Singapore for short periods. The Lao teachers were encouraged to attend out-of-hours training classes.
c) Getting the people in the field and the people in the Home Office to see one another’s constrains. Those in the Home Office have governance requirements, and compliance with protocols to enforce. While those in the field have schedules and workflow, and cultural concerns to worry about. For example, repairs in the school can only be done during school vacations, but approvals may not be timely.
HF: What advice would you give to younger generations about the importance of service and dedication to causes close to their hearts?
Whatever you do, do with passion, as unto the Lord.
HF: How has your faith influenced and sustained you throughout your years of service?
As a Christian, you seek to please the Lord. Whatever He calls you to do, do it as unto Him, trusting the He will be with you.
HF: Looking back on your journey, are there any lessons you’ve learned that you wish you knew when you first began volunteering?
HF: Could you recount a particularly memorable moment or experience during your visits to Laos that has stayed with you?
I recall fondly the memorable and beneficial visit of the MGS (Singapore) Secondary 3 Exchange Programme to SMS Laos in 2018. The visit exposed SMS students to fellow students of another country. It also exposed SMS students to Science, Music, Craft, and made learning such fun. They had a Science Fair, Musical Performances, and craft-making Christmas tree decorations. This programme enriched the learning experiences of both sets of students.
HF: As you step down from your role as Chairman, what do you hope your legacy will be within the school community?
I hope I have done what is required for SMS to move forward.
I like to take every new venture as a completely new challenge. I am happy to learn as I go.
HF: What do you envision for the future of SMS, and how do you plan to stay involved in its mission?
SMS must grow to be a fully accredited school, with Kindergarten, Primary, and Secondary classes. I would love to continue to support SMS in any way I can.
HF: Finally, can you share with us how your experience with SMS has impacted your own spiritual growth and understanding of God’s work in the world?
I am strengthened in my belief the God is in control in all things. He is the Lord God Almighty.for new premises to expand our kindergarten within a short time frame.
InteRVIeW WItH tHe FoRMeR sCHooL BoARD
VICe CHAIRMAn –JAson CHIn
HF: Can you share with us what initially inspired you to get involved with the Singapore Mission School in Laos?
I am a school consultant, and I travel a fair bit regionally for my work. For me, visiting schools is both for work and hobby, as I enjoy getting a feel of a school’s unique ethos. In 2015, I was planning a motorcycle journey through Laos, and as I knew the MMS had a school project there – the Singapore Mission School in Laos – I contacted Col (Ret) Quek to request permission to visit the school in Vientiane.
I have worked with elite institutions for the better part of my adult life, and the moment I stepped into the school, there was a very familiar feel about it. I immediately knew that this school had the potential to be counted among the key mission schools in our region.
HF: What has been the most rewarding aspect of your time serving as Vice Chairman of the school board?
The entire journey has been rewarding!
However, the aspect I have found most enriching has been in experiencing the teamwork within the rich diversity represented on the School Board and among our Christian brethren on the ground in Laos. They comprise individuals who have selflessly dedicated themselves to developing the school, often at great personal cost.
Our School Board is made up of retired corporate figures and civil servants, active lawyers and accountants, editors and lecturers, as well as businesspeople. At Board meetings, the collaborative dynamic guided all proceedings, with discussions undergirded by the depth of each member’s professional insight. Through the diversity of perspectives, consensus-based decisions were always made in the best interests of developing the Lao work for the long term.
HF: Could you recount a particularly memorable moment or experience during your visits to Laos that has stayed with you?
There are too many to recount, but as a career teacher, interacting with students is definitely high on the list!
Seeing our students develop into fine young adults is always a joy. From our interaction with the principals of the secondary schools our students eventually are promoted into, as well as with other external stakeholders, the feedback about our graduating SMS students has been consistently positive, where they are often commended as being clear and confident communicators.
On a more personal note, on my visits to the SMS in Laos, I make it a point to join the school’s morning assemblies to observe the start of the school day. These usually comprise heartfelt welcome greetings between teachers and students, songs and a prayer for those in attendance and for those who may be unwell at home. Being a part of our morning assemblies always reminds me why we serve in this country, and for Whom. I find that this recalibrates my inner person, and seeing the enthusiasm of our students and teachers is an added motivation to return.
HF: Throughout your tenure, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
I think one of the main challenges at the beginning was the work required to transition the school to be an educational institution of choice for parents in Vientiane. At that time, the school already had a good reputation of being a place which nurtured its students well from the nursery to the primary levels. However, the workflow and processes related to curriculum development, student assessment, programme evaluation, and school operations were somewhat ad-hoc in nature and required documentation and review for the school’s long-term sustainability.
Most of the operational coordination efforts laid on the shoulders of two very hardworking individuals then – our school’s founding directors. In any venture, this is a clear vulnerability, and despite good efforts, increases the probability of personal burn-out or disillusionment.
As such, one of the first tasks that we instituted at the Board was to develop the capabilities of a professional school middle management layer which would be responsible for the day-to-day administrative, financial, and human resource management operations. Additionally, individuals were also identified to manage the student recruitment and management processes, as well as the school media channels. Staffing needs were constantly assessed, and efforts were put in place to recruit more dedicated individuals who had the heart to teach and serve in Laos.
HF: As you step down from your role as Vice Chairman, what do you hope your legacy will be within the school community?
I am way too young to be thinking of legacies…!
This school, and all our Methodist schools in the region, were established to the glory of God and for the development of youth. As Christians, I hope that we will always prioritise building the future of nations by providing quality and accessible education to the young. Indeed, once we return to meet our Lord, the only thing we leave behind are the seeds we have planted for the future.
My prayer is that these seeds will grow into strong and fruitful plants.
This school, and all our Methodist schools in the region, were established to the glory of God and for the development of youth.
HF: What advice would you give to younger generations about the importance of service and dedication to causes close to their hearts?
Members of our younger generation have often been given stereotypical labels (Millennials, Gen Y, Gen Z, etc), but many times, these characterisations fail to capture the fact that they are extremely intelligent, creative, dedicated, adaptable, and capable problem-solvers. We need more individuals with these characteristics in the mission field as the many challenges we face and the demographic we reach out to require a unique approach.
I would strongly encourage those in their teens, 20s, and 30s to earnestly seek the Lord, and challenge Him to provide opportunities to serve in the field either as interns, tentmakers, or fulltime missionaries. In the past, I have often told my students that a year (or two!) when one is in their teens and 20s is insignificant in the grand scheme of our lives. This applies as much to Christian service as it does to career and study. Why not take a “gap year” (or two!) to serve the Lord outside your comfort zone?
HF: How has your faith influenced and sustained you throughout your years of service?
From very early in my Christian journey, I had been influenced by models of faith such as George Mueller, Jim and Elisabeth Elliot, Hudson Taylor, and Brother Andrew. Two overarching themes had always stayed with me. Firstly, we serve a faithful and loving God. Secondly, it is our availability to follow the call that matters more in our mission than our abilities.
Hebrews 13:21 states that it is our Lord Jesus that makes us perfect in every good work to do His will. I see this not just in myself, but also in our teachers at the SMS. Many of them were untrained individuals who answered the call to teach in a Christian school within a “creative access nation”. They would eventually bloom to become engaging teachers who are able to develop structured and inspiring lessons through a course of mentoring and supervision.
I see this not just in our teachers, but also in our operations and administrative staff and volunteers who join us for short assignments. As long as we have hearts with a desire to serve the Lord, and are willing to learn and adapt to changing situations, God can use us.
HF: Looking back on your journey, are there any lessons you’ve learned that you wish you knew when you first began volunteering?
Looking back, I can’t think of any one lesson which would have prepared me for SMS, as we experienced much OJT (on-the-job-training) as we went along!
One necessary trait required in our work with the SMS is adaptability. Over the past 7 years, the Board has had to constantly adapt and recalibrate our expectations for the school and for the folks we work with in Laos – our students and their families, school staff, government officials, vendors, and other partners.
Initially, we often see things through a lens which is coloured by our own experiences in super-efficient corporate Singapore. In Laos, however, much of what we know requires adaptation to local societal, business, and governmental norms. Embodying this is one phrase almost all newcomers hear: “This is Lao….”
That being said, there are principles which remain inviolate wherever Christian work is done, and these are integrity, fairness and Christ-centred compassion. These Christian principles need to be practised wisely as we represent Singapore’s business principles in the Lao marketplace.
HF: What do you envision for the future of SMS, and how do you plan to stay involved in its mission?
The Singapore Mission School in Laos and its sister schools in Thailand, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste, are extensions of the vision of the early mission school pioneers in Singapore such as Oldham, Beurel, Blackmore and Dyer.
What I would like to see is the establishment of more links between the schools, not just to build fraternal bridges based on the shared heritage that binds the schools, but also for sharing of common resources, such as professional development networks, curriculum best practices and staff and student interaction.
Perhaps in the days to come, activities could be organised to focus on these, such as what our Singapore Methodist institutions do annually.
HF: Finally, can you share with us how your experience with SMS has impacted your own spiritual growth and understanding of God’s work in the world?
Before I added the SMS to my prayer list, I did not realise how shallow my prayers could be. Seeing and experiencing the faces and lives of those we serve has been greatly humbling, especially when one understands that decisions at the School Board level may translate to substantial changes in the lives of those on the ground.
In praying for the school’s staff members, students, and their respective families, I find myself seeing them through our Lord’s eyes as individuals whom He loves. This may seem surprisingly obvious coming from a Christian, but it is a very different viewpoint from one working in secular business, where the overarching priority is profit.
This has made me put more thought in the decisions made for my own businesses. It has indeed served as a reminder to me as to where my true priorities in life should be.
InteRVIeW WItH
tHe CURRent sCHooL BoARD CHAIRMAn – BG (Ret) PRoF eMeRItUs
LIoneL Lee
Watching the children grow in body, mind and spirit is a most fulfilling experience.
HF: What inspired you to volunteer for the School Board of Management for Vineyard Methodist School and Little Candles Methodist School in Thailand?
Truthfully, I did not volunteer to be on the School Board of Management. Bishop Emeritus Robert Solomon approached me to Chair the Board for Vineyard Methodist School. At that time, he perceived that the two mission schools of MMS in Chiang Mai and Phnom Penh needed some form of governance to guide the schools as they had been established for several years. I was assigned to the Board of Management of Vineyard Methodist School in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Later on, when MMS became responsible for the Little Candles Methodist School in Phrao, Thailand, I was asked to chair the new Board of Management too.
HF: Could you share a bit about your background and how it has prepared you for this role?
I am very involved with missions with the Methodist Missions Society (MMS) and was the inaugural Chairperson of MMS’ Personnel Committee. I was also on the Board for the East Asia Office for SIM (Serving in Mission) and was involved in the interviews for accepting new missionaries into SIM. Thus, I understood some of the imperatives and challenges of the mission field. I also knew many of the MMS missionaries. I was also on the Board of Management of Geylang Methodist Schools (Primary and Secondary) in Singapore for many years and was the Chairman for 14 years.
Thus, I had the experience of guiding mission schools in providing good academic education with an underpinning of Christian values and principles. At the same time, although I was never a fulltime missionary, by being involved with personnel issues in missions, I understood some of the challenges and dynamics facing missionaries in the mission field.
No amount of preparation would be enough to be the chairman of schools. Although this background helped me, it is only by God’s grace and leading that one manages to guide the principals and staff of our mission schools.
HF: What are some of the key responsibilities and duties that come with being a Chairman in the School Board of Management?
a. Provide guidance to the principal and staff of school.
b. Encourage principal, teachers and staff.
c. Emphasise the education mission, most importantly being the nurture of students.
d. Secure the financial security of the school.
e. Ensure that the audits are done and reviewed by the school board.
f. Promote the mission orientation, emphasis, and vision of the school.
HF: What challenges have you faced in your role, and how have you overcome them?
A major challenge facing the school is that with time, the education mission of the school receives attention, but the mission and missionary nature and emphasis has to be downplayed. The school must appreciate that its key role is to build the body, mind, and spirit of the school. It is important that the schools realise that they must achieve God’s vision and not just the school’s mission. The students need to be spiritually nurtured, and the Christian education of the school is a key pathway to achieving that. At the same time, the school must also be a light and beacon for Christ to the students, parents, and neighbourhood. Hence the Christian witness of the school must never be lost and replaced by secular interests and objectives.
In both schools that I chair, the pastor of the church is the chaplain of the schools and thus is responsible for the Christian education and ethos of the school. They and the Christian education teachers are also responsible for the community service and pastoral care and counselling of families.
HF: How do you work with other board members to ensure the effective governance and management of the schools?
The Board is a family and not just a committee. We develop fellowship with one another and support one another through prayer and communication. We are single-minded in the mission of the school. Over time, we develop camaraderie and trust.
HF: Can you highlight some significant achievements or milestones that the School Board of Management has accomplished during your tenure?
• Growing the schools from Nursery to Kindergarten to Primary School with the aim and vision to extend them to Secondary education.
• Expanding the infrastructure and resources for the schools.
• Securing the finances and developing the primary school buildings.
• Establish the Thai Methodist church–school relationships.
• Establish the Singapore Methodist church-school relationships.
HF: As a veteran volunteer, what advice would you give to those who are new to serving on the School Board of Management?
This service is not a matter of just a few years. Those who avail themselves as volunteers in the School Boards must be prepared to serve for many years so as to realise their contribution in shaping the school.
HF: How do you see the role of the School Board of Management contributing to the mission and vision of the schools in these regions?
The School Board sets the ethos. Working with the principal, teachers, and staff together, they set the principles to drive the mission, vision, and values of the school.
HF: What are some ongoing projects or initiatives that the School Board of Management is currently working on?
Starting up new plans for the establishment of secondary schools for both Vineyard Methodist School and Little Candles Methodist School.
HF: Finally, how do you personally find fulfilment and satisfaction in your voluntary service on the School Board of Management?
As we serve, the Lord provide the grace to ensure the growth and successes of the school. Watching the children grow in body, mind, and spirit is a most fulfilling experience.
Timor-Leste
5 LoAVes AnD 2 FIsHes
Gracia Chiang
Associate Editor at Salt&Light.
Gracia used to chase bad news. But now she shares Good News. When she is not busy writing for Salt&Light, she is being a mum to her two growing daughters. Her husband, Rufus, is an Assistant Pastor at Covenant Community Methodist Church, and their home church is Aldersgate Methodist Church. On their very first mission trip, both of them were part of the same team to Cambodia!
I had heard so much about this beautiful country. But there was nothing like experiencing it for myself.
In timorLeste, the needs are many.
When I first found out about the mission trip, I wasn’t sure if I could contribute since the original focus was to conduct sewing classes at St Paul Methodist School.
But I decided to offer whatever experience I had – namely writing and teaching God’s Word – which the Lord used in ways beyond what I could think of.
As it turned out, our church’s missionary David Chan, who is also the school’s principal, already had a desire to start an editorial newsletter. He was also keen for his final year students (Grade 12) and trainee teachers awaiting university enrolment to practise their English.
Part of the Aldersgate Methodist Church Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS) mission trip team that visited SPMS.
More than just imparting skills, I’m thankful that I was able to build relationships with my class of 16 students. Getting to know them, understanding their hopes and dreams, and learning how the school has made a difference in their lives, were all precious moments.
I also had the opportunity to speak to the Girls’ Brigade students and share my testimony on dating and how God helped me understand the meaning of love.
Who would have thought that the Lord could use whatever that I have been through to encourage young ladies in Timor-Leste? Indeed, when we offer up our five loaves and two fishes, He multiplies it so that others can be fed.
I also saw the multiplier effect in the lives of the missionaries there.
Hearing the stories of courageous men and women who have given up the comforts of home and answered the call to serve in a foreign land, and seeing how God has used them to touch the lives of many Timorese, are truly a testament to kingdom math.
Gracia with the Grade 12 students and trainee teachers that attended the writing class.
Gracia with the trainee teachers who have graduated from SPMS and are waiting to enrol at university.
It was incredible to witness David’s three children working alongside their parents – there’s something so moving about seeing a family serving in missions together. The five of them are now making disciples who will then go on to make more disciples!
In Timor-Leste, the needs are many.
How fast the school will grow, how wide our ministry will reach, how deep our impact will be… all that will depend on how many of us are willing to come alongside and be counted.
I hope to continue supporting our missionaries and ministry in Timor-Leste with my five loaves and two fishes, and I pray that more of us can consider doing so too.
May we all also have the chance to marvel at how our God can do greater things than we can ever imagine.
Celebrates a Momentous Milestone in Timor-Leste
More than 14 years ago, God gave MMS a vision to establish a Methodist School in Timor-Leste. On 7 July 2024, Bishop Dr Gordon Wong will dedicate the St Paul Methodist School (SPMS) to the glory of God.
Over 400 people will gather on that day to celebrate the completion of Phase 1 of the SPMS Development Project, which includes classroom and hostel blocks, a multi-purpose hall with canteen, admin building, and football field for 700 students in grades 1-12. In addition to local government leaders, students and their families, teachers and staff, a delegation of about 50 partners and supporters from churches throughout Singapore are expected to attend.
This occasion marks a momentous milestone in a journey filled with prayer, hope, faith and trust in the abiding goodness of God. We thank all the churches, cell groups, and individuals who have provided unfailing spiritual, human, and financial resources over the years.
In the next edition of Harvest Force, MMS will share testimonies and pictures that capture the spirit of this event. So please stay tuned!
The students interviewing David as part of their news writing assignment.
MMS
East Asia
DRUG ReHABILItAtIon MIssIon
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” (Acts 1:8)
Looking back on the road of drug rehabilitation missions, I have come to a deep understanding that drug addicts do not readily accept the Gospel, and therefore a driving force is needed behind the motivation to spread the Gospel. This motivation originates from the Holy Spirit, the power of Christ’s resurrection, which enables believers to preach the gospel boldly; this power is revealed in those who obey God.
God’s Marvellous Guidance
At the beginning of 2003, I brought my wife and daughter to a new area to provide free drug rehabilitation counselling at a community health centre. Faced with a serious drug problem in that area, we prayed to God and asked Him to prepare a place for us. Miraculously, God led us to a leprosy village in a mountain pass. Despite the rugged mountain roads and the dilapidated state of the former leprosarium, the local village secretary was willing to let us use the place and even waived the rent temporarily. Later, we
signed a 30-year subcontract with him and set up Faith Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Park, or “Faith Park” for short.
Due to limited funds and insufficient manpower, there were only a few volunteers and trainees at first. The trainees were depressed, and some even asked to leave; the living conditions in the village were so simple that we could only use firewood to cook and keep warm, and we experienced many difficulties as we had to take care of many daily affairs ourselves. But I firmly believed that God knew I was
God’s power is stronger in times of weakness.
working for Him and that He would provide for my needs.
After several years of service, we built additional garden facilities, trained national co-workers. We also saw the lives of graduates transformed and their willingness to stay in the garden as co-workers. This made us marvel at how God had done so much through human hands.
In 2008, I returned to Singapore with my family for a duty visit, and I was planning to hand over the ministry to the national co-workers. However, soon after, the lack of manpower and resources to support the national coworkers made it difficult for the work
to continue. Heartbroken after hearing this, my wife and I prayed together and decided to return. I thank the Lord for giving me the confidence to continue with this ministry, and for the support and encouragement I received from my brothers and sisters in the church. In 2009, I became a missionary with MMS and continued to serve the drug rehabilitation community in that area.
Moving Towards Community Care
In January 2010, I was appointed as an honorary board member by a local public institution. And in June, I obtained the approval of the local public institution to set up a community care centre to help rehabilitated people develop a healthy self-image, correct values, and good interpersonal relationships. It enhanced their confidence and ability to face pressure and temptation. It was hoped that through various services, we could more fully respond to the needs of the local community with the love of Christ.
Conflicts and Challenges
I faced some challenges. For example, when I was invited to be interviewed by the media and journalists, I felt troubled because my personal information such as my name, background, and place of work would be exposed. I would face great difficulties and challenges; though their intentions were good, and the purpose was to let more people know and encourage the good deeds. In this circumstance, my work in drug rehabilitation training was more important.
On another occasion, my co-worker told me that a relative referred by a government official wanted to stay at Faith Park. However, after understanding his background and current situation, it was difficult for
me to arrange for him to be trained in Faith Park because he could not accept the rules for admission, such as no smoking and no mobile phones, and so on. Due to his status and influence, it was difficult for him to understand why we had to impose so many restrictions. However, we treated all admission trainees in the same way. The official then stopped contacting me. This was regrettable. But I believed that God is righteous and loving.
Amazing Grace
In order to equip my co-workers, in 2009 I recommended and accompanied a co-worker to attend a theological course. The seminary teachers encouraged me to take the intensive programme. After 3.5 years of study, in December 2013, I received a degree in Practical Theology. I was able to overcome various difficulties such as my weak foundation, busy schedule, and family commitments to complete my studies, which I had not thought of before. I believed it was all miraculous grace.
Looking back on the journey of these 20 years or so, it has all been a miraculous work of great power; it was never within my own power. God’s power is stronger in times of weakness, and we learn more in times of trouble than in times of peace. Praise the Lord! His marvellous grace is beyond counting.
In 2024, we will continue to promote drug rehabilitation missions. We are still just getting started in that area and have a long road ahead of us. We need the support and prayers of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ!
Who can comprehend this vision? Who can be anxious about it? Looking at this vast harvest field, there are so many who are lost. May the Lord send His workers to do His work.
notes FRoM tHe DAIRy
oF A CHURCH PLAnteR
Childrenrelated ministry is one of the best ways to open doors and bring the gospel to a community.
Editor’s Note: Ps Henry was one of the speakers for the “Church Multiplication Connection” seminar organised by Singapore Centre for Global Missions in January 2024. He shared the case study of planting Sanphranet Methodist Church and Shineforth Methodist Church in Thailand. The first part of the article was first published in the March 2024 issue of Methodist Message.
Rev Henry Yeo and his wife, Sungwan Yeo, were sent out by the Methodist Missions Society, Singapore (MMS) to help establish the Methodist Mission in Thailand (MMT) in 1998. Rev Henry has served as the Country Coordinator and then later as Country Director. Sungwan is a native Thai from the province of Nakhon Rachasima, Thailand.
In 2004, MMT was renamed the Mettakij Church Association (MCA). The main objective of MCA is to plant churches supported and enhanced by community services and social welfare.
This is Rev Henry’s account of their time spent church planting in Thailand.
It is a cool, dry February day in 1998 when we arrive and set up our base in Sanphranet. Sanphranet is a relatively well-populated community in the Sansai district in the northern province of Chiang Mai. Most inhabitants are the native Lan Na Thai people (also known as Khon Mueng or “City People”), while the rest are from hill tribes such as the Lahu, Karen, Akha, and Hmong who come to Sanphranet to seek economic opportunities in the capital city (which, like the province, is also called Chiang Mai).
The church we are attached to here is the first church in Thailand adopted by MMT.
Rev Henry Yeo MMS Country Director for Thailand. His favourite pastime is gardening; he has many trees he grew from seeds.
Rev Henry Yeo, his daughter (Ariya), his son (Atin), and wife (Sungwan).
This church was planted by a pastor from the Lahu tribe. Before our arrival, he had made a request to come under the umbrella of MMT, for financial support as well as “legal cover”. It is a very common practice in Thailand for pastors who plant independent churches to do this in order to attain a form of legitimacy.
On our first Sunday, we can see it is a vibrant church, but all its 80-odd members are from the minority Lahu tribe and all activities are conducted exclusively in their own dialect. This dialect, foreign to the Lan Na Thai and people from other hill tribes, is clearly a barrier to outreach. Neither does the church offer any activities to attract the community at large. Having identified what is lacking, we must now find solutions.
Most Sanphranet inhabitants are in the lower-middle income group, but there are some very poor families trying to make ends meet because jobs are scarce. We find out later that several of our first converts are employed in a big pig farm not too far away.
After discussing with me, my wife Sungwan, a trained teacher, sets off to visit an elementary school operated by a local Buddhist temple. It is highly common in Thailand for schools to be founded and supported by a temple or be located on temple grounds.
She comes back to report that many of the students need help after school with their homework assignments. But quite a few of them are being raised by single mothers or come from families which are broken. In many cases, both parents will be at work for long hours daily, six days a week, leaving their children home alone after school to fend for themselves. And even when parents are at home, many are not
educated enough, or are too tired, to help their children.
Sungwan wants to minister to the children by starting an After-School Programme for them. Much to her delight (and mine), it attracts almost all the children at the small school, particularly the older ones studying in Grades 4-6 who have considerably more homework assignments. After spending some time observing the students, Sungwan categorises them according to their abilities and begins to tutor the weaker ones.
When she has time, she goes out to visit the parents of the children. During these informal “parent-teacher meetings”, besides discussing the children’s progress, she looks for an opportunity to talk about God and to pray with the parents. As time passes, it’s obvious that many of them are grateful for the After-School Programme and trust her. However, while they appreciate what she is doing for their children, they are not yet open to receiving Christ as their Saviour.
We remind each other that God is the Lord of the harvest, and we are here simply to sow the seed. Three weeks into the After-School Programme, Sungwan announces to the children that if they come to the church on Saturday mornings, she will teach them songs and stories from the Bible. It is gratifying to see the response to her invitation. More than 80 children are turning up every Saturday!
Remarkably, even though most of the parents are not willing to accept Christ or to attend church themselves, they readily allow and even encourage their children to attend our Saturday morning activities. This situation really boosts our boldness and vision.
In August 1999, Sungwan takes the lead in organising a one-day evangelistic outreach to the children. We are greatly helped by a missionary couple from the United States who are here to aid us for two weeks. We had first met them in Bangkok in 1994, when I was pastoring a church there, and where they were instrumental in Sungwan’s
Sanphranet Methodist Church, Thailand.
conversion to Christianity. About 80 children attend and at the end of the day, at least 40 of them pray to receive Christ. A few months later, most of the converts are joyfully baptised at a nearby swimming pool by Bishop Wong Kiam Thau of The Methodist Church in Singapore.
Sungwan neither has a degree in theology nor has she received any training to be a missionary. I’m grateful she has accompanied me into this mission field which, as God ordained, happens to be her home country. She says she’s simply doing what she feels is needed for the community, especially in the areas of the children’s education and welfare. In October 2000, she starts a child-care centre as many parents need a place for their children to be looked after while they’re at work.
Year 2000 brings a big change! Some people have expressed their wish for an adult worship service on Sunday for non-Lahu speakers. Sungwan and I can speak the so-called “Central Thai” but we’re not proficient in the Lan Na Thai dialect which is slightly different. We have invited a pastor who is a Lan Na Thai and able to speak both languages to help shepherd this newly-
formed congregation. Eventually this congregation will become the Sanphranet Methodist Church, while the Lahu congregation re-locates to another city in Chiang Mai.
It’s 2002 and a new four-lane highway is being built. While this brings about many advantages, it will unfortunately separate Sanphranet from another community nearby, where some of those who attend our church come from. The highway will not only inconvenience them, but it will also be an unsafe crossing for the children. This is why we set up our second church, Shineforth Methodist Church.
In 2005, we are able to tap on the Student Sponsorship Scheme (SSS) which will help some of the poorer families supplement the cost of their children’s schooling. Although tuition is heavily subsidised by the Thai government from Grades 1 to 12, there are other expenses like school uniforms, books and stationery which can be a heavy burden.
Meanwhile, we are constantly looking for ways to meet the needs of the adults in Sanphranet Methodist Church. Making disciples is difficult,
to say the least. For example, a prebelieving elderly woman went to an evangelistic healing crusade and accepted Christ after she was healed of pain in her arm. A cell group was formed which met at her home, as her children forbade her to attend church with us. However, one day she requested the cell group to stop meeting at her home as her children opposed it. While Sungwan and I continue to visit her, she won’t allow us to even pray for her. She feels obliged to obey her children as she’s dependent on them financially. Sadly, such overpowering resistance of family members is not uncommon in Thailand.
The similarity in the church planting model for Sanphranet Methodist Church and Shineforth Methodist Church is that they both started off with ministries for children. Eventually the parents and other adults are drawn in. It’s our experience that fewer Lan Na Thai people (richer, as they generally own the houses they live in), will accept Christ, as compared to people from the hill tribes who mostly stay in rented housing.
I’m reading up on the history of Chiang Mai to better understand our mission field. Chiang Mai is the birthplace and a stronghold of Theravada Buddhism, a branch of Buddhism with the most adherents in Thailand. Some tribal communities won’t allow churches to be built and in rare instances, churches have been burned down. Although this sort of physical opposition is rare, Christians encounter very subtle and verbal opposition of various forms. The city itself has so many temples; no wonder it is referred to as the Northern Buddhism capital.
In a short time, I’ve learnt that societal pressure is a very strong deterrent for Thai people to become Christians. In
Shineforth Methodist Church, Thailand.
their culture, individualism is seen as selfishness and arrogance, and in a country where the popular saying goes, “To be a Thai is to be a Buddhist”, converting is as serious as renouncing your national identity. Is there any way our mission can move this mountain?
It’s been found that it’s easier to evangelise to Thai people who have relocated from their places of origin. They are more willing to convert. Quite likely it’s because they are freed from the societal pressure within the community they came from.
The university campus is one such place, where there is peer-to-peer evangelism takes place among the students. Students are normally seekers and more open to new perspectives; there, they also face less pressure from family or the community they came from.
If the key people in a community are converted, that may more easily lead to the conversion of a majority, if not the entire, community. This was what happened in Phetchabun province, where evangelism by the Free In Jesus Christ Church Association, Thailand
resulted in about 1,760 people being baptised in May 2023.
It seems Christianity spreads more quickly with the tribal people as missionaries evangelise to a whole village (mass evangelism), rather than to individuals in an urban or city setting.
Undoubtedly, the more conversions there are in a community, the less pressure the converts will face from family and community to recant.
Children-related ministry is one of the best ways to open doors and bring the gospel to a community.
Sanphranet Methodist Church and Shineforth Methodist Church grew out of our ministries to the children in Sanphranet and its neighbouring communities. My wife, Sungwan, did very well in meeting the children’s needs: providing after-school care, help with home assignments and extra tuition, and activities on weekends.
Some of the children who accepted Christ have continued in the faith into adulthood. Some who walked away for a while have returned. I believe
the exposure they received when they were young was crucial. As Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Sadly, some have not returned.
One of the things I would have liked to do better was to spend more time on intentional discipleship. Many of the children may not have left the faith if we had devoted more time to build them up into faithful and strong disciples; while the ones still faithful would be able to make disciples themselves if we had equipped them better.
Most leaders would agree that churches will not grow if there is no effective and continual disciplemaking, but disciple-making requires churches to develop the children actively and intentionally, not only by teaching them Bible lessons in the traditional Sunday school setting, but also by establishing ministries to provide an avenue for the children to invite their non-believing friends to church, teach them how to evangelise and equip them to be effective disciples who can disciple others.
When it comes to bringing the adults to Christ in this very closely-knit community, the task is even more challenging. Many, if not all, have heard the gospel and experienced the love we expressed, mainly through our ministry to their children, but the cost of conversion can be too great for them.
While both our churches, Sanphranet Methodist Church and Shineforth Methodist Church, still face difficulty in persuading the mainly Khon Mueng (City People) to accept Christ, they do attract many of the hill tribe people who have migrated here. All glory to God who is still at work through us.
Teaching the children action songs during childcare.
DeDICAtIon seRVICe FoR
LIttLe CAnDLes MetHoDIst sCHooL (PRIMARy)
Pastor Daniel Loo MMS Missionary in Thailand and Pastor-in-Charge of Little Candles Methodist Church. He is a member of the Board of Management of Little Candles Methodist School. He loves eating a good burger for his pastime.
Besides providing quality education, the purpose of the primary school is to walk with the children on their journey of faith to a higher level.
HeLD In PHRAo, CHIAnG MAI
On 20 March 2024, an extraordinary milestone in the ministry of the Methodist Missions Society of Singapore in Thailand was reached. It was the day the Dedication Service of Little Candles Methodist School (Primary) took place in the town of Phrao, Chiang Mai, in north Thailand. The event, presided over by Bishop Dr Gordon Wong of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS), was the culmination of a building project that began two and a half years earlier in November 2021 and completed just days before the Dedication Service.
The story of Little Candles Methodist School, however, truly began in 2008 when my wife, Sharon, and I first arrived in Phrao as missionaries. The question on everyone’s mind then, and even now, was “Why Phrao?” After all, Phrao is just a small countryside town where the biggest “shopping centre” is a 7-Eleven convenience store.
My wife and I were answering God’s call to assist a local church in setting up a dormitory for hill tribe students. When that project finished, we stayed on at the request of some parents to provide English tuition for their children. This led us to start a nursery in 2010, which grew into a kindergarten in 2012. In 2016, we joined Methodist Missions Society (MMS) and in December 2020, the school’s building and land was
Presentation of gifts.
Guests at the Dedication Service.
transferred to the Muangthai Mettakij Foundation, the subsidiary of MMS in Thailand. The plan was to extend the existing school to provide primary school education.
Col (Ret) Quek Koh Eng, Regional Director for East Asia, Laos, Thailand, and Timor-Leste in MMS, coordinated the proposal for a primary school in Phrao, known as Little Candles Methodist School Primary Building Project, that was passed at the General Conference of MCS in 2020. MMS then appointed a school board led by BG (Ret) Prof Emeritus Lionel Lee to steer the school through its transition to primary-level education and lead the fund-raising committee. A building committee, led by Lip Jin Ho, was selected to oversee the construction of the school which was completed within budget and only six months late, despite being constructed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Dedication began with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Bishop Dr Wong of MCS, His Excellency
Bishop Dr Wong sharing his message.
Little Candles Methodist School is located in the Phrao Valley.
Unveiling of plaque commemorating the dedication of Little Candles Methodist School.
Nirat Pongsitthithaworn, the Governor of Chiang Mai, Mrs Jinda Kamlangprasit, Deputy Provincial Education Officer of Chiang Mai, and Mr Suchad Chiaranussati, Chairman of the Muangthai Mettakij Foundation. The guests were then ushered into the new multipurpose hall to be captivated by Thai dance performances by the school students. This included students from P1, the first cohort of primary enrolments (numbering 42) who commenced in May 2023, and students from K3 who will form the second cohort (expected to be at least 39) commencing in May 2024.
Similar to the Methodist schools in Singapore, there is a strong partnership between church and school. Little Candles Methodist Church (LCMC) runs Christian programmes for the students and provides pastoral care for the school staff. LCMC is regarded as the heartbeat of the school, so it was only right that the LCMC team led the worship.
Drawing from the name of the school for his sermon, Bishop Dr Wong challenged the staff and students at the school to always be “little candles of light” by doing good deeds and showing kindness to those around us every day (Matthew 5:16). Next was the unveiling of the plaque, and then tours of the school, followed by lunch which was a scrumptious selection of Thai dishes including pig trotters. To top off the excitement of the day was a taster of burgers and drinks from our very own Daniel’s Burgers restaurant, which supports our ministry and has become an iconic feature of Phrao.
Reflecting on the past two years, it has been a long journey for the staff of both Little Candles Methodist School and LCMC. The
Ribbon cutting ceremony with the Governor of Chiang Mai.
Bishop Dr Wong with members of the school board.
GC-WSCS team with Rev Derrick Lau (first from left), Pastor Daniel Loo (second from left) and Bishop Dr Wong (first from right).
challenges in opening the first private primary school in Phrao have brought us closer together and more dependent on God. We have also learnt gratefulness from the generosity of those who gave to the building of the school. Besides providing quality education, the purpose of the primary school is to walk with the children on their journey of faith to a higher level— which was not possible with a kindergarten alone. That this goal is already being achieved is evident among the new Primary 1 students who have shown a growing intellectual ability to ask deeper questions about God, with some even joining the Sunday worship at church.
Praise God for Little Candles Methodist School!
MMS FaMily
Welcome
We welcome our new Missionary Intern, Lin Qinying, from Fairfield Methodist Church, with effect from 1 March 2024.
Greeting from qin:
Hello! I am Lin Qinying. I have been in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam since the end of February 2024 and have in fact been visiting Ho Chi Minh City since 2017. I am the MMS Foreign Non-Governmental Organisation (MMS-FNGO) representative in Ho Chi Minh City. I will oversee the activities related to MMS-FNGO’s social work initiatives, namely the three shelters MMS-FNGO is sponsoring (Sunrise Boys Shelter, Sunlight Girls Shelter, and Lotus Girls Shelter) and other activities that MMS-FNGO is involved in from time to time. I will also be assisting Pastor Leslie, MMS Country Director of Vietnam, in the running of services and activities at the International Christian Fellowship. I will help to organise the visiting teams from Singapore to visit our ministries here in Ho Chi Minh City. I hope to better the lives of needy children and youths here and be a blessing to the community at large.
I enjoy playing sports and games, reading, and spending time with the Lord. Here, I also get to do something I like – riding on motorbikes (as a pillion at the moment, but not in the hot sun)! Those bike rides have often been my time of communion with the Lord or fellowship with others. I am learning the local language but it has been somewhat tough. Another challenge is the need to keep extending myself – to learn, relearn and unlearn things; to be humble and teachable to allow the Lord to continue to prune and mould me into His image; to be flexible and think out of the box; and to hold the tension of making my “home in the promised land” yet living “like a stranger in a foreign country” as Abraham did (Hebrews 11:9). Despite (and perhaps because of) these challenges, I am growing and enjoying myself and every day has been very fruitful and meaningful.
Dear Lord, we lift up Qin to You. We pray that she will have greater endurance and motivation to practise and learn the language. May she remain humble and teachable as she transitions to a new culture. May the Lord continue to guide her to grow and be a blessing to the people there. May more people who have the same heart and mind come alongside to serve the Lord and His people. Amen.
oUR GIFts FoR MIssIons
We would like to support MMS so that the Good News of Jesus Christ can be proclaimed to the ethnic Cambodians, Lahus, Laotians, Nepalese, Thais, Timorese and Vietnamese, by giving to:
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
Laos
Community Development
Staff & Ministry Support
Sponsorship and donations of tertiary studies for:
Sophia’s Home girls
thailand
Staff & Ministry Support
Little Candles School Building & Furnishing Fund
Students Bursary Fund for VMS & LCS
Ministry
timor-Leste
Staff
*For more information on the Student Sponsorship Scheme, please login to http://www.mms.org.sg/sss
MMS is committed to ensuring the security of all personal data she collects. MMS shall use and disclose such data only for her necessary purposes and if so, shall adhere to the guidelines of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). All personal data shall be kept strictly confidential at all times. If ever MMS has to disclose any personal data to any third party, she shall do so only with the prior consent of the owner of the personal data. Information collected via this form will be used strictly to process the donation, sponsorship, and subscription only. To withdraw or limit consent, please email to mms@ methodist.org.sg.
“I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God which cost me nothing”
2 Samuel 24:24
“I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God which cost me nothing”
2 Samuel 24:24
MMS Executive Director Methodist Missions Society 70 Barker Road #06-01 The Methodist Centre Singapore 309936 BUSINESS REPLY SERVICE PERMIT NO. 08175
Thank you
and his family have been in Thailand since 1 August 2017. And they have blessed and touched many lives, especially those at Christ Methodist Church in Khon Kaen, Thailand. Ps Vincent continues to be a non-residential missionary of MMS.
Dear Lord, we pray for Ps Vincent and his family as they transition back to Singapore. May You continue to bless and guide them. May they continue to be a source of inspiration and encouragement to the people they meet in their new ministries in Singapore. Amen.
Life-GivinG WATer FRoM HeAVen
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.
He taught Bible Knowledge to the Sec 4 ACS boys around 1987-89. That was during the time when Singapore still allowed schools to offer this as a GCE ‘O’ level subject.
Good teaching comes in different doses, different forms, different times, and different places. But all good teaching nurtures our lives.
There is a saying that “Teaching is the one profession that produces all other professions.” That’s how important and significant a role good teaching plays in life. Or as someone else has said, “Without teachers, life would have no class.”
Moses was a teacher, and this was his prayer:
May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, like gentle rain upon the tender grass, and like showers upon the herb. Deuteronomy 32:2
Moses prays that his teaching will have the positive nurturing effect of water that helps grass and plants to grow. He uses four different words to describe life-giving water from heaven: rain, dew, gentle rain, and abundant showers. Good teaching comes in different doses, different forms, different times, and different places. But all good teaching nurtures our lives.
Good education is a large part of the good work that God has called us to do in The Methodist Church in Singapore. Within three years of the first Methodist missionaries stepping foot in Singapore, two schools were started, and today, we have over twenty schools and pre-schools in the little island of Singapore. As we have been blessed by good education, so we thank God for allowing our Methodist Missions Society to establish several schools in other countries. This issue of Harvest Force highlights the good work of our various school boards.
Let us give thanks to God for all who serve and support our schools and school boards. May the teaching and education provided “drop as the rain, distill as the dew, like gentle rain upon tender grass, and like showers upon the herb.”
从天而来
的活水
有句俗语说得好：“教学专业造就了所有其他的专业。”好的教 导在生命中扮演着举足轻重的角色。或者说：“没有教师，生命 就缺少了教育。”
摩西是位导师，这是他的祈祷： 我的教训要淋漓如雨， 我的言语要滴落如露，
如细雨降在嫩草上， 如甘霖降在菜蔬中。
申命记 32:2
摩西向神祷告，祈愿他的教导能像水一样产生滋养作用，促进 草木生长。他用了四个不同的词来形容从天而降的活水：雨水、 露水、细雨和丰沛的甘霖。好的教学有不同的剂量、不同的形 式、不同的时间和不同的地点。但所有好的教导都能滋养我们 的生命。
提供良好的教育是上帝呼召新加坡卫理公会所做的重要善工。
第一批卫理宣教士登陆新加坡，三年内创办了两所学校，如今， 在这个弹丸小岛上，已经有二十多所卫理学校和幼儿园。我们
受益于良好的教育，也感谢上帝让我们的卫理宣教会传承这项使 命，在其他国家陆续建立学校。这一期的【禾丰】重点，就介绍我们 各所学校董事会的杰出贡献。
感谢上帝，感谢所有参与服侍和支持卫理学校及董事会的信徒。
愿我们提供的教学和教育”淋漓如雨，滴落如露，如细雨降在嫩 草，如甘霖降在菜蔬中。“
好的教学有不同的剂 量、不同的形式、不同 的时间和不同的地点。 但所有好的教导都能滋 养我们的生命。
