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 post- practicum 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 MDDI (P) 015/01/2025
ADVISOR Nov 2025
Rev Derrick Lau
EDITOR
Leongheng
PROOFREADER
Wendy Tan
CHINESE PROOFREADER
Goh Tuan Gee
TRANSLATORS
Henry Wang, Thng Pheng Soon
PHOTO CREDITS:
Andrew & Helen Kon Caroline Ng, Chan Kum Kit, Cheryl Chen, Helen Tan, Katherine Loh, Kathy Tay, Kwong Shiu Yoong & Kim Kwong, Marguerita Tan, Nigel Choy, Pang Sze Kiang, Sherrin Chong.
DISTRIBUTION & SUPPORT
Eileen Lim, Helen Tan, Tan Poh Ling & Delighters
DESIGNER
Pure Design 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
COVER Ready for Harvest
PHOTO CREDIT
Stock Image
t.me/mmsorgsg @mms_org_sg mms_org_sg
g Unstoppable: Lessons from the Early Church for Today’s Missions WAZZUP!
g Country Information
g Opportunities to Serve
FIELD FEATURE
g Cambodia
The Journey of Flourish
Finding Joy in the Simple Things
g Laos Exploring God’s Call
g Thailand
More than a trip: A journey of connection and growth
A Mission of Service
g Timor-Leste Building Dreams, Shaping a Nation: The Next Chapter for St Paul Methodist School
Shining Brightly in Timor-Leste
Journey of Obedience and Resilience
g
g What I learnt from sharing the gospel in a foreign land
g Joining Hands in God’s Work
g Ready for the Harvest: Aligning Our Lives with Christ
Rev Derrick Lau
刘作丰牧师 Executive Director of MMS. His hobby includes film and digital photography, especially macro, portraits, and 360.
The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.
LESSONS FROM THE
The Great Commandment (Luke 10:27) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20) were and shall remain as the twin mandates for the Church’s mission to the world until the return of Christ. They are foundational and unchanging. Yet, as the world changes rapidly, sending agencies must address and adapt to the evolving global landscape so that missions remain viable and meaningful.
In this two-part reflection, I share personal insights on how the nature of missions has developed through the centuries, and the lessons we should take to heart as we continue to serve as Christ’s ambassadors in today’s world.
The missionary journeys of Paul brought the Gospel (“The Way”) throughout the Hellenistic world and beyond the Roman Empire. He reached major cities such as Ephesus, Corinth, Philippi, and Thessalonica. Other apostles also ventured far, carrying the Gospel into regions including North Africa and even as far as India.
During its formative years (commonly known as the Apostolic Age), the Church faced intense persecution, beginning with Emperor Nero’s reign in AD 64. Christians were arrested, imprisoned, and executed for refusing to honour the gods of the Roman Empire. While many were forced to hide
EARLY CHURCH FOR TODAY’S MISSIONS
their faith, the advance of the Gospel did not stop. Acts 1:8 declares, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” As the early Church Father Tertullian famously wrote, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
Lesson 1:
The flame of missionary zeal spread in every geographical direction, reflecting a strategic advancement. Those who proclaimed the message were people who had truly tasted the goodness of the Lord, dedicating their time, talent, and treasure to serve the Missio Dei
When Emperor Constantine the Great made Christianity the official religion of the empire (AD 306–337), the faith was legalised, consolidated, and expanded across Europe. Churches and cathedrals rose, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Constantinople became the new imperial city in AD 330, and missions flourished under imperial favour, growing in power and influence until the Middle Ages,
when the Ottoman conquest of 1453 brought about a turning point.
Lesson 2:
We ought to pray that governments, rulers, and authorities will grant freedom of religious expression and the right to share the Gospel. Under the blessing and favour of the Emperor, missions grew exponentially.
Lesson 3:
Opposition and persecution cannot extinguish Christ’s mission. Even without official favour, Christian missions made inroads into countries such as West Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Haiti, and Cuba. When the Church no longer enjoys political support, the missionary flame must still burn, fuelling missionaries and church leaders to persevere in reaching the nations.
This concludes Part 1. Part 2 will focus on mission endeavours from the early 1900s to the modern Church of today.
从初期教会
刘作丰牧师
(Rev Derrick Lau)
卫理宣教会总干事。他的兴趣爱好 包括胶片与数码摄影，尤其擅长微 距、人像及360度全景摄影。
殉道者的血 是教会的种子。
大诫命（路加福音 10:27）与大使命（马太福音 28:19–20），自始至终都是教 会普世宣教的双重使命，直到基督再来都不会改变。它们是教会的使命根 基，永不更改。然而，面对瞬息万变的世界，差派机构必须审视并应对不断 演变的全球格局，以确保宣教事工持续具有生命力且意义深远。
我将分成两篇论述个人对数世纪以来宣教在历史长河中发展过程的领悟， 以及我们在当代继续作为基督使者时应铭记于心的宝贵功课。
使徒保罗的宣教之旅将福音（“道”）传遍至希腊化世界及罗马帝国疆域之 外。他踏足以弗所、哥林多、腓立比、帖撒罗尼迦等重镇。其他的使徒亦不畏 艰险，远涉重洋，将福音带到包括北非甚至印度在内的地区。
初期教会（通常称为使徒时代）信徒面临严酷的逼迫，始于公元64年尼禄 皇帝在位之时。基督徒因拒绝敬拜罗马帝国的众神，遭当局逮捕、监禁，甚 至处决。尽管许多人被迫隐藏信仰，福音的拓展却从未止息。使徒行传1 章8节宣告：“但圣灵降临在你们身上，你们就必得着能力；并要在耶路撒 冷、犹太全地和撒马利亚，直到地极，作我的见证。”诚如早期教父特土良 （Tertullian）所言：“殉道者的血是教会的种子。”
汲取的宣教功课
功课一：宣教的热忱化作烈焰，向四面八方迅速蔓 延，体现了战略性的拓展。传扬福音者，皆是亲尝主 美善的信徒，甘愿倾其所有——光阴、恩赐、财富—— 全然奉献在神的宣教事工上。
当君士坦丁大帝将基督教定为国教后（公元 306–337 年），基督教信仰得以合法化、并且不断巩固，扩 展至整个欧洲。教堂与大座堂巍然矗立，其中包括耶 路撒冷的圣墓教堂与罗马的圣彼得大教堂。公元 330 年，君士坦丁堡成为新帝都，基督教在罗马帝国庇护 下日益蓬勃发展，影响力持续扩展，一直延续至中世 纪的1453 年，君士坦丁堡被奥斯曼攻陷，标志着历 史的重大转折。
功课二：
我们当为政府、掌权者和在位的官员祷告， 求神感动他们赋予宗教信仰自由及传扬福音的权利。
在帝皇的庇护与支持下，宣教事工迅速扩展。
功课三：反对与迫害无法扑灭基督的宣教使命。即 便缺乏官方支持，福音仍然深入西非、肯尼亚、莫桑 比克、委内瑞拉、波多黎各、海地及古巴等国。当教 会不再享有政治上的支持时，宣教的火焰仍须燃 烧，激励宣教士与教会领袖坚持不懈地将福音传向 万国万邦。
首篇论述在此告一段落。下一期将聚焦于论述廿世 纪初叶迄今的宣教轨迹。
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.
Building, Construction & Maintenance Committee
• Professionals in the Building and Construction industry to volunteer services
Cambodia
Office Assistance
• MMS Events Coordinator
• Member of Fund Raising Team
• Member of Fellowship Mailer Team
• Graphic and Web Designer
Financial Assistance
• Give towards Student Sponsorship Scheme. Please refer to page 31.
• 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.)
COUNTRY INFORMATION
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
Japan dennis.lee@methodist.org.sg
Nepal mms@methodist.org.sg
Thailand joseph.mannar@methodist.org.sg
Timor-Leste cheryl.chen@methodist.org.sg
Vietnam mms@methodist.org.sg
• Principal and Vice-Principal needed for the Methodist School of Cambodia. The current Principal is due to complete his service towards 2026.
• 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 Chinese Diaspora Missions (CDM) 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.
• Churches with burden to reach out to the Chinese (as an ethnic group) to partner with MMS to support our missionary family on the ground in their outreach and discipleship ministries.
• Trainers to conduct leadership development and counselling courses.
• Church teams to engage communities through community services and development projects.
Laos
• Full-time staff (single person or married couple) to explore ministry opportunities and establish the work in Lao.
• Urgent needs for young adults, adults or seniors with teaching experience to serve as teachers at the Singapore Mission School for 6 months or longer.
• More SSS supporters to sponsor needy students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• More partners to support the hostel ministry and other community development work in the villages and other provinces.
Japan
• Long-term help in discipleship and evangelism.
• Short-term mission teams to serve the Homeless Ministry; teach English; and participate in Japanese classes.
• Physical and financial support for Homeless Ministry outreach work.
• Support Sundy Services at Sakai Mission Church and Osaka International Church.
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 selfsustainability.
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 Methodist School. Focus areas are English and Mathematics.
• English and Chinese teachers from Singapore to teach at Vineyard Methodist School and Little Candles Methodist School.
• Mission teams to conduct evangelistic events, community services, etc with our Methodist churches.
• Missionaries and teachers who can teach our Thai teachers English.
• Online ministries to teach, train and empower. They include English or Chinese language teaching, training and disciple making for children, youths and adults.
Timor-Leste
• Experienced educator to serve as Principal and VicePrincipal in St Paul Methodist School (SPMS) for 2-4 years.
• Volunteers in Singapore to maintain a website for SPMS monthly updates.
• Volunteers in Singapore to check and refurbish used laptops for use in Timor-Leste.
• 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.
• Primary and Secondary school teachers to serve from 1 month to 1 year in SPMS to do teacher training and build general staff capacity.
• Volunteers with vocational/business skills to partner with SPMS to offer short-term training workshops and mentoring.
Vietnam
• Mature Christian to come as tentmaker to help International Christian Fellowship (ICF) grow small groups. 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. If the Lord is leading you to serve in places beyond the eight countries where MMS has some form of ministry, please get in touch with us.
THE JOURNEY OF FLOURISH: from handicraft business to mission field
Ng
She served on the Barker Road Methodist Church Cambodia Subcommittee where Flourish first begun. A counselling psychologist and trauma therapist, she loves crafts and is passionate about helping people through their pain and discover healing and wholeness in Christ. She enjoys recreating anything pretty or tasty with her hands to the dismay of her kids who would rather just enjoy the original.
God takes what is small and makes it sacred.
Flourish began in 2011 as a simple women’s ministry passion project, sparked by a Mother’s Day gift made by hand. What started as one act of love has since grown into a redemptive movement, empowering disadvantaged women in Cambodia through dignified work in crochet and sewing. Caroline shares how handicraft ministry Flourish came to be and how it has blessed women in Cambodia.
It began with a smell we will never forget—the stench of rot and smoke as we stepped onto the Stung Meanchey landfill in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It was my first mission trip with Barker Road Methodist Church (BRMC)’s Cambodia Sub-committee. Nothing prepared us for the sight before us. Children ran barefoot across razor-sharp debris digging through garbage with their tiny hands. This was their home.
Editor’s Note: This article was first published in the July 2025 issue of Methodist Message.
That afternoon, I led a women’s ministry session at Prek Tual Methodist Church, a partner church of MMS in Cambodia. When I asked what the women wanted prayer for, they whispered:
“For my child to finish school.”
“For my husband to stop drinking.”
“For my baby to grow up strong.”
Caroline
In that moment, I saw it clearly: beneath the surface of poverty and pain, the heart of a mother is the same. We all long to be seen, safe, and loved. We want our children to do well. That day, a seed was planted in me.
Stitch by stitch
Back in Singapore, BRMC’s Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS) was sourcing gifts for Mother’s Day. Someone suggested a crochet cross. The idea sparked something within me. What if we invited the women in Cambodia to make these gifts? What if our giving became their healing?
Armed with yarn and a heart full of hope, I returned to Cambodia. Just a week before, I had been learning how to crotchet crosses from YouTube. With confidence that could only have come from above, I passed on the basics. Slowly, hands long calloused by hardship began crafting beauty. Threads of pain were being rewoven.
With the first order of 1500 crochet pieces, Flourish, a handicraft ministry, was born. We named the ministry Flourish after Psalm 92:
The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.”
(Psalm 92:12–15)
This psalm captures the vision God placed in our hearts for redemptive flourishing. We longed for something more—where women could encounter the goodness of God through community and creativity.
Teaching crochet at Community Outreach Services-Immanuel Children’s Village (COSI) in 2012 to fulfil the first order of 1500 handmade crochet crosses.
The story of Chab Nern
In 2014, Flourish held its first women’s conference in Cambodia. One of MMS’ missionaries stationed there, Tan Li Diang, introduced one of the participants to me. Her name was Chab Nern and her face bore the weight of sorrow too deep for words. Her frame was stooped and weary.
Then I learned she was only 41. That year, she had just lost her only daughter who had been murdered on her way home from school. She was 14. There are no words for that kind of loss. Yet, God was there in the ashes. He never left her side.
Years before, Chab Nern had endured years of physical abuse at the hands of her alcoholic husband. She sought refuge at the Cambodia Women’s Centre, where she learned how to sew and understand her identity in Christ. She took a leap of faith and joined our first Flourish Women’s Conference. She had no idea that God was about to weave a new chapter in her life.
She began sewing faithfully. The money started coming in, more than she had ever seen in her life. “Before Flourish, I never knew what more than US$10 (S$13) felt like in my hands,” she told us later. Flourish became
more than a job. It became a lifeline. And a spiritual family.
Today, Chab Nern’s once-aching hands are now strong, guiding younger women in the sewing team. Her face, once lined with sorrow, now carries the deep joy of a woman redeemed.
God was ahead of us with bigger plans
There were so many moments we thought we had reached the end of Flourish’s lifeline. Yet, God sustained us. Every time the yarn ran out, more would arrive through
Chab Nern, with her daughter-in-law and granddaughter, at Christmas Thanksgiving 2024 with the other Flourish ladies.
donations. When urgent medical bills came for a woman’s child or husband, God stirred hearts to give.
However, as Flourish grew, we ran into challenges within the governance of a church-based charity. There were hard conversations about accountability, capacity, and even whether we should shut it down.
Then COVID-19 came. The world stopped. Still, God continued to work.
Pastors, schools, nursing homes, and children’s homes in Singapore reached out and supported the ministry through Scripture colouring cards to bless their congregations, students, and home residents. They reminded us that we were never doing this alone.
In 2024, it became increasingly clear that Flourish had outgrown its first wineskin. After much prayer and wise counsel, Flourish became a ministry of MMS. This was not just a structural shift. It was a spiritual one. God was making space for the vision to grow.
An invitation to sow eternally
We may never fully know the ripple effects of a single crochet hook, a single act of kindness or a whispered prayer. However, we do know this:
God takes what is small and makes it sacred. He takes what is broken and makes it beautiful. He takes ordinary people— like you and me—and invites us into his eternal story.
About Flourish
A place in Cambodia to share God’s love by empowering women in challenging circumstances through crafts, and providing sustainable livelihood for the betterment of their futures, dignity, and well-being.
The Flourish story is still unfolding. There are more mothers to encourage, more children to bless, and more lives to restore. We invite your church to join us. Walk with us. Partner with us. Pray with us. To learn more, visit www.craftedtoflourish.com or email mms@methodist.org.sg.
Crochet slings made this year.
Chab Nern and her younger son at Flourish’s Skills Training Workshop at Chress Methodist Church in 2015.
Early crochet crosses with imperfect and uneven stitches.
in the Simple Things FINDING JOY
Nigel Choy
He worships at Toa Payoh Methodist Church. At home, he enjoys cooking his favourite meal, spaghetti bolognese. His life motto is: “Don’t let the past hold you back from achieving great things.”
Mission trips remind me
to find joy in life’s simple blessings and to appreciate what God has given us.
I was excited to take part in a mission trip from 10 to 14 April 2025, organised by Toa Payoh Methodist Church. My last mission trip had been many years ago when I was a teenager, and I have fond memories of the impact those trips had on the local communities. This time, I headed to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to serve with MMS missionary Carol Ong. It was good to be back. Cambodia always conveys a peaceful atmosphere whenever I visit.
Our first stop was Hope House, an outreach to children living in the slum area. I was eager to begin the programme, and when we arrived, the children greeted us with joy. A couple of local volunteers helped us with translation. The programme included games, singing and dancing to children’s praise songs, and a Bible story on the death and resurrection of Jesus, told with the help of a video. We ended the session with a
craft activity for the children to take home.
We also packed essentials and festive goodies, since it was the Khmer New Year, and distributed them to families during home visits. It was a humbling experience, especially when we visited one family who lived in a temporary shack made of zinc sheets. They shared that it was so hot during the day that they could not stay indoors. The families were grateful for the gifts and welcomed us warmly into their homes. During our visits, we learned more about their situations and prayed with them. When asked for prayer requests, most shared simple yet heartwarming petitions for themselves and their loved ones.
The team at Hope House
Craftwork at Hope House
Our next stop was The Third Place in the Odem district, where many locals work in nearby factories. Since it was the holiday season, we partnered with the local team to organise an afternoon of fun and games for the community children. We introduced old-school Singapore games such as captek, flag erasers, pickup sticks, and darts. Many of these were new to the children, but they had great fun learning and playing. The event gave the local church an opportunity to connect with their community. Watching the children laugh and play brought back memories of my own childhood, and I am sure these children too will treasure these memories in years to come.
As it was Khmer New Year the next day, we ended Sunday evening with a celebration at the local church. There were delicious food, games, and dancing. It was a joyful time of fellowship with our Cambodian brothers and sisters in Christ.
Looking back, I thank God for the people on our team. We bonded well and complemented one another’s strengths in service. Though we were different in many ways, God enabled us to remain focused and united as we served Him together.
Mission trips remind me to find joy in life’s simple blessings and to appreciate what God has given us. They also allow God to use us as vessels of His love to bless others. While daily life often tempts us to chase promotions or stress over exams, these trips draw me back to contentment and gratitude for God’s provision. I would encourage anyone to go on a mission trip, to share God’s love, and to experience His goodness in fresh ways. I cannot wait for the next one!
About Hope House
An outreach ministry providing literacy classes and Christian education to children in Ch’bar Ampov district. To learn more, email mms@methodist.org.sg.
About The Third Place
A preaching point in Kombol offering language classes and worship services, moving towards becoming a local church. To learn more, email mms@methodist.org.sg.
Sunday school at The Third Place
Children playing with flag erasers during an afternoon of games at The Third Place
We blessed a family with gifts to celebrate Khmer New Year during home visitation.
Laos
God’s Call EXPLORING
Katherine Loh
She retired early from secular work to fulfil her dream of becoming a missionary. She thanks God for the strong support of her home church, Trinity Methodist Church, especially the Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS).
Through this trip, God showed me the school where I can serve, the people I will work with, and the community around it.
Senior class children experimenting with the speed of balloons in the classroom.
“Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching,”
I felt led to explore teaching in the Singapore Mission School in Laos.
I was delighted to be given the opportunity to teach a senior class of fifteen children, aged nine to eleven, English for three days.
Day 1
After introducing myself, the children took turns to introduce themselves. They were polite, softspoken, and hesitant to speak up. By the end of the lesson on “buying and selling,” however, they spoke spontaneously while role-playing “At the Shop.” I was surprised by their imagination and creativity in setting up shops using everyday objects around them.
Day 2
Preparing to tell the story of David and Goliath took me a long time. I revised the story several times, unsure of the children’s level of understanding and how well they might receive a biblical story. Shan and Pauline encouraged me that the children would be receptive, so I focused on David’s good character. They then wrote their own stories, and I was deeply touched by their sincerity in expressing admiration for loved ones. One boy, who struggled with English, described his father who lovingly bought him Lego. Another expressed gratitude for his helpful classmate. Most moving of all, a girl with a learning disability shared about her very kind mother.
Day 3
Building on the adjectives they had learned to describe people, the children moved on to describing objects. They helped one another and showed great intelligence, often guessing objects with just one or two clues.
Through this trip, God showed me the school where I can serve, the people I will work with, and the community around it. I am assured that His blessings will go with me wherever I go.
About Singapore Mission School
Singapore Mission School aims to provide holistic education in English and Lao for the coming generations of Lao people to possess the right moral, mental and educational upbringing to positively influence their community and country through excellent service in all sectors of society. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/ SMS.Vientiane or email mms@methodist.org.sg.
Telling a Bible story to the kindergarten children.
Singapore Mission School
Angeline and Katherine attended a service at a local church where three languages were used - Mandarin, Korean, and English!
Thailand
MORE THAN A TRIP: A journey of connection and growth
Pang Sze Kiang
He is Head of Department, Character & Citizenship Education, at Millennia Institute. He has been a Manchester United fan for more than 30 years and he has watched two live matches at Old Trafford before!
Millennia Institute students and their newfound friends in Chiang Mai.
This year, students from Millennia Institute spent their Valuesin-Action (VIA) hours miles away, in Chiang Mai, Thailand, for a project facilitated by Methodist Missions Society.
This journey was not just about offering help, it was about listening, learning, and growing.
From 30 May to 4 June 2025, a group of students and teachers from Millennia Institute journeyed to Chiang Mai, Thailand, for a Values-In-Action (VIA) trip. What began as a simple community involvement programme turned into a deeply humbling, joyous, and unforgettable experience.
Learning through laughter
From the moment the team arrived at Vineyard Methodist School, they were met with genuine warmth and curiosity. Despite the language barrier, connections formed quickly through shared activities—dancing, playing, and laughing together. The Thai children introduced Muay Thai moves, cultural dances, and traditional snacks that reflected pride in their heritage. Small, thoughtful gifts which they offered served as quiet but powerful gestures of kindness—reminders that generosity is not measured by what we have, but by what we are willing to share.
Unexpected challenges
Editor’s Note: This article was first published in the October 2025 issue of Methodist Message.
The next day was a test of teamwork and adaptability. A transport delay disrupted the planned schedule, and the planned activities proved too advanced for the younger children. The Millennia team had to think on their feet, simplifying tasks, and finding new ways to engage. It was in these unscripted moments that something deeper emerged: when plans fall through, flexibility and empathy become more important than flawless execution. The children’s enthusiastic smiles reaffirmed that the effort mattered more than the agenda.
Fun and friendship
Time spent with local youths in Chiang Mai highlighted how easily understanding can happen without a shared language. Through games, the group experienced a kind of connection that did not require translation. The local youths’ calm presence and openness offered a refreshing contrast to the hurried pace of life in Singapore, prompting the team to slow down and be fully present.
A day at Mettakij Hostel was filled with energy as students from both communities came together for sports and team games. What began as simple play turned into something more enduring—mutual respect and the beginnings of friendships that might outlast the trip itself.
Building more than walls
One of the more memorable experiences was helping build a toilet facility for the community. What initially seemed like basic manual labour evolved into something far more meaningful. Local residents, who could have completed the task without assistance, chose instead to involve our students, teaching them patiently. Their quiet leadership and generosity turned the task into a lesson in humility, teamwork, and respect.
The group returned not just with souvenirs, but with a shift in perspective. We learnt that connection often lives in the unspoken, that joy can be rooted in simplicity, and that being humble makes room for real growth. The generosity, patience, and resilience of the Thai people left a lasting impact, encouraging the team to live with greater awareness and compassion. This journey was not just about offering help, it was about listening, learning, and growing. In many ways, what was received far outweighed what was given.
About Vineyard Methodist School, Chiang Mai, Thailand
A school established by MMS to provide formal education with Christian morals principles from Kindergarten to Primary School children. (www.vms.ac.th)
About Mettakij Hostel, Chiang Mai, Thailand
A hostel established by MMS to provide a place for poor and needy children from remote villages to continue their school education and be exposed to a Christian environment.
Students from Millennia Institute helping to build and paint a toilet.
Thailand
A MISSION ofService
The labourers are few. We earnestly pray that many more will consider participating in short-term mission trips.
Editor’s Note: This article was first published in the online edition of Wesley Tidings, Wesley Methodist Church, Singapore, on 18 June 2025.
Kwong Shiu Yoong and his wife, Kim, have dedicated a significant part of their lives, since his retirement, to serving others through missionary work. Their journey, rooted in a shared faith and a deep desire to make a difference, exemplifies a powerful commitment to the global Christian community. It is in this spirit of service that they minister to others with a focus on sharing their faith and providing practical support.
Shiu Yoong, could you share a little about your background and what led you to become involved in mission work?
By the grace and love of God, Kim became a Christian in 1975. We married in 1978 and, in 1988, Kim’s faithful sharing led me to Christ. We are blessed with two sons, daughters-in-law and four grandchildren, all of whom worship and serve at Wesley Methodist Church (WMC). We thank God for these generational blessings, echoing Joshua 24:15 (NIV): “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Our journey of service began within our church through Bible study, leadership training with Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and involvement in various ministries, including the now defunct Skier’s Paradise Ministry, Kim’s Bible study teaching to the youth in Boys’ Brigade, facilitating Alpha and leading small groups. Kim’s call to the mission field began in 2003. After my retirement in 2006, I joyfully joined her. Our mission trips have taken us to Cambodia, China, Thailand and, for shorter durations, to Batam, Bintan, and Tanjong Pinang.
Kwong Shiu Yoong and Kim Kwong They worship at Wesley Methodist Church. Their commitment to serve in Nong Bua Lam Phu started from 2006!
Kim, was there a specific moment or experience where you felt God calling you to serve in this way?
As a mother of two boys, I felt a deep desire to support young people by offering guidance, care and love, with a particular focus on building their self-esteem. I give thanks to God for His step-bystep guidance in leading me to know Him and for His call into the mission fields.
How did you, Shiu Yoong and Kim, decide to embark on this mission to Thailand together? Was it a joint calling?
Kim’s initial mission trip in 2002 was to The Methodist Centre (MMS) and the orphanage village in Cambodia. In 2006, we both felt a clear calling to serve together at Nong Bua Lam Phu Methodist Church (NBLPMC) in Nong Bua Lam Phu (NBLP), Isaan, Northeast Thailand. Following the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, we joyfully resumed our mission work in 2023 and continue to serve there today.
What are some of the personal qualities or skills you believe God has equipped you with for this work?
We acknowledge God’s glory in equipping us with diverse skills essential for this work, honed through evangelising and witnessing the Gospel. We’ve learnt that a simple act of kindness can powerfully demonstrate compassion and transform lives. Kim shares practical life skills such as flower arranging, cooking, baking and beanie making, providing avenues for income generation. Together, we teach English, art and craft, songs and dance in local primary schools and at the church as a way to connect with students and draw them to the church community.
What are your personal motivations for serving in Thailand? What do you hope to achieve or witness there?
Our primary motivation is to share the love of God with the people there through our actions and words. We are just planting the seeds. For the children, our hope is that as they grow and potentially move to the city, they will carry the knowledge and love of Jesus with them.
How has your faith grown or been challenged through your involvement in missions?
Experiencing the Lord Jesus firsthand in the mission field and learning to place our complete trust and faith in His will, plan and purpose has profoundly deepened our faith.
Before dedicating your time to missions, what did you do professionally in Singapore?
From 1974 to 1985, I worked my way up to be a chief engineer on board cargo vessels, which meant I was away from Singapore for extended periods. In 1985, I transitioned to a shore-based role as a bunker trader and retired in 2006.
Kim had worked as a secretary for an airline company. She stopped working in 1978 to join me at sea on cargo vessels and has been a dedicated homemaker since then.
How did your previous work experience prepare you (or perhaps challenge you) for the realities of mission work?
My work as a seagoing marine engineer allowed Kim and me to travel to many countries, where we witnessed firsthand the struggles people face in making a living and the lack of educational opportunities. We also became aware of issues like the exploitation of girls, particularly in Thailand. These experiences broadened our understanding of some of the most pressing global needs.
Kim with friends wearing beanies that she taught the community to weave.
Kim and Shiu Yoong enjoying a coconut drink.
What were some of the things you had to prayerfully consider or sacrifice when you decided to give up your largely comfortable post-retirement life in Singapore for this mission?
Most of our mission trips are short-term, typically lasting one week, so they haven’t significantly disrupted our daily lives in Singapore. However, we must spend a lot of time preparing for the trips. So, the main consideration is to set aside the time and energy we dedicate to these trips.
How did WMC support you in this decision?
WMC has been very supportive of short-term missioners like us who go out to serve in other countries. Their encouragement and prayers are invaluable.
Kim, what is the role you play in this ministry?
I primarily play a supportive role, assisting Shiu Yoong in planning and organising events for the women. This includes teaching practical skills like flower arranging, cooking, baking, and beanie making. I also facilitate sessions for the Alpha course.
Shiu Yoong and Kim, what are your primary responsibilities in looking after this church? What does a typical day or week look like for you there?
I serve as the country coordinator for Thailand. This involves organising mission trips to NBLPMC (two to three times a year) and also to Little Candle Methodist Church (LCMC) in Phrao, Chiangmai (two to three times a year). Our typical trips last one week. During this time, we teach English, art and craft, and song and dance in primary schools. We also visit church members’ homes in NBLP and Nongsan (a preaching point), share the Gospel and our personal testimonies, and engage with church members
through adult, youth and children’s ministries. We organise events aimed at drawing villagers to the church and participate fully in Sunday worship services. Additionally, we teach life skills such as flower arranging, baking, cooking, and beanie making.
What are some of the key needs and challenges faced by the church and the surrounding community there?
Poverty is a significant issue, and many people lack reliable transportation to attend church. The congregation primarily consists of older individuals and children, as many young adults leave the villages to find work in the cities. The church is also understaffed, with only one pastor and a church staff member.
What kind of outreach or community engagement activities is the church involved in?
The church provides tuition for children and youth and offers a safe space for them to play in the church compound during the week and on weekends. They also hold a preaching service once a month at the Nongsan Preaching Point and regularly visit elderly members who are unable to come to church.
Can you share a specific story or experience from your time in Thailand that has been particularly meaningful or impactful for you?
One particularly meaningful experience was meeting twin sisters, Kluay and Klaao, in 2006. We shared the gospel with them and built a friendship. Today, Klaao is married and serving alongside her husband in a church in Bangkok. Kluay has become an elder in NBLPMC, recently got married and is now serving as the pastor there. It’s a beautiful testament to God’s faithfulness and His promises. We give Him all the glory!
What is a good piece of advice to navigate cultural differences based on your vast experience?
In many Asian societies, people are generally very traditional in their dress and part of a close-knit community. We’ve learnt that the most effective way to connect is by demonstrating love and care through practical acts of service – meeting their needs and building genuine friendships. It is important to first meet people where they are.
2006: (R-L) Kim with Klaao and Kluay, the twin sisters from NBLPMC.
What are you most inspired by in this ministry?
We have been encouraged to see spiritual growth in the youth, who represent the future generation. They are eager to study the Scripture and actively serve in the church. Many of them have taken on responsibilities in the children’s and youth ministries, music ministry and in the practical aspects of running the church services, helping in the kitchen and maintaining the premises.
How do you work alongside national leaders and members of the church in Thailand? What is the collaborative dynamic like?
We primarily work closely with the pastor and the one church staff member. Due to language barriers, our direct interaction with the Local Church Executive Committee (LCEC) members is limited. However, the male LCEC members contribute through maintenance work like cutting grass, and the elderly ladies often help with cooking for Sunday services.
What are your hopes and vision for the future of the church you are serving in Thailand?
Our hope is to effectively reach out to the youth so that when they leave their villages for work in the cities, the seeds sown in their lives will germinate and that they will hopefully return to their villages to serve in the future.
How can the Christian community in Singapore pray for you?
Please pray for our continued strength, health and clear minds as we are now in our 70s, so that we can keep going on mission trips.
For others in Singapore who might be considering short-term or longterm mission work, what advice or encouragement would you offer?
We encourage you to consider going with your children to start them young. It’s a profound way for them to experience God and His love for the people of Thailand and for you to experience it yourselves.
How has this experience in Thailand changed your perspective on the global church and the role of missions?
The enduring challenge remains: “The labourers are few.” We earnestly pray that many more will consider participating in short-term mission trips. As Jesus said in Luke 11:28 (NLT), “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”
About Nong Bua Lamphu Methodist Church
Nong Bua Lamphu is a province located in the northeast region of Thailand, known as Isaan. This region is characterised by its rural landscapes, distinct culture, and slower pace of life compared to central Thailand. Nong Bua Lamphu Methodist Church (NBLPMC) began humbly in 2003 as a small gathering. Their initial building was dedicated in 2005 and the current church building was dedicated in 2011. On 23 August 2025, NBLPMC celebrated her 20th anniversary of ministry. Thank God for His faithfulness.
Shiu Yoong and Kim (2nd and 3rd from left, front row) and WMC members presenting a praise song at the 20th anniversary of NBLPMC on 23 August 2025.
2025: Kim (back row) and Klaao at Pastor Kluay’s wedding.
Dinner at a boat noodle stall with Pastor Kluay and her husband.
Timor-Leste
The Next Chapter for SHAPING A NATION: BUILDING DREAMS, St Paul Methodist School
Dr Cheryl Chen
She first stepped into the beautiful land of Timor-Leste on a mission trip in 2011. Each visit has held new surprises, from meeting her future husband on her second trip to spotting her first wild horses during her most recent visit in September 2025. Together with her husband, Rudy, they worship at Aldersgate Methodist Church. She serves in MMS as Country Coordinating Officer for Timor-Leste.
He brings colour, meaning, and hope to the last, the least, and the lost.
Making Dreams Come True
“My dream is to be a pilot”, declared Manuel in a 2017 video featuring the very first intake of Grade 7 students at St Paul Methodist School (SPMS) in Timor-Leste. Today, Manuel is on his way to living that dream. He is currently pursuing a degree in Aeronautical Engineering in Australia on a scholarship with Missions Aviation Fellowship (MAF). (Read Manuel’s testimony in Harvest Force 2024 Issue 1: https://issuu.com/methodistmissionssociety/ docs/hf2024-1/s/45089354)
A diligent and outstanding student at SPMS, Manuel worked hard to win a scholarship to St Francis Methodist School in Singapore. He graduated in 2022 as Valedictorian of his cohort. Once he completes his degree, Manuel will be trained not only to fly aircraft but also to repair them. His dream is to serve with MAF, bringing emergency medical services to the remote mountainous areas of Timor-Leste.
Like young people everywhere, Manuel is pursuing his dreams. Yet his story is exceptional; opportunities like his are rare in Timor-Leste, Asia’s youngest nation. Still recovering from a 23-year war, the country struggles with devastated infrastructure and inadequate education. Nearly half the population is under 19, and 45% of children and youth never attend school or drop out before graduation.
A glimpse of beauty: Wild horses on the land next to SPMS.
Manuel teaching in SPMS while waiting for his student visa to be renewed for his degree programme in Australia.
Bringing Hope to the Masses
Against this backdrop, St Paul Methodist School was established by MMS in 2016. The vision was clear: to bring hope to the nation through affordable, quality education that nurtures both the mind and the spirit.
The school began with just 21 Grade 7 students. Each year it grew steadily, enrolling new batches at both Grade 1 and Grade 7. Today, less than a decade later, SPMS has 1,150 students from Grades 1 to 12, equivalent to Primary 1 through Pre-University in Singapore.
The demand continues to rise. For the 2025 intake, 500 students applied for places, but a strict ballot had to be introduced to keep class
sizes at 35. Despite opening five classes at both Grade 1 and Grade 7, over 100 hopefuls were turned away, and a waiting list remains. Parents are eager to give their children a chance at a brighter future, and SPMS is now widely recognised as a school of choice.
Building a City on a Hill
In response to this growing need, MMS is planning and raising funds for Phase 2 development. The new phase will include a chapel, two classroom blocks, and two hostel blocks. Once completed, the expansion will double the school’s capacity to 2,100 students.
This growth is about more than numbers. It is about raising a generation of young Timorese who embodies
integrity, faith, and a commitment to serve their nation. As Jesus taught, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
(Matthew 5:14-16, ESV)
The addition of a chapel marks a significant milestone. For years, school devotions and Boys’and Girls’Brigade programmes have taken place in makeshift spaces such as classrooms or the canteen. The new chapel will finally provide a dedicated venue for worship services, discipleship, prayer, and school events. It will also stand as a symbol of SPMS’s Christian foundation, in line with the Methodist school tradition in Singapore.
Daily devotions conducted in the canteen, which serves as a multi-purpose hall.
Meet-The-Parents session for students staying in the SPMS hostel.
SPMS teachers on a work-study programme in Singapore, May 2024. Georgina in the centre.
Pathways in the Wilderness
Timor-Leste’s job market remains underdeveloped. Even bright students who complete secondary or tertiary education face limited employment opportunities. For every Manuel who secures a scholarship abroad, dozens more must find alternative pathways.
To address this challenge, SPMS is pioneering a dual-track curriculum for Grades 10 to 12. Alongside academic studies, students can opt for vocational training and internships in industries such as hospitality and agriculture. This initiative is timely, given Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN in October 2025, which is expected to spur growth in tourism and local industries.
Phase 2 will include a specialised block with IT and science labs, as well as a vocational training centre. By offering
practical and transferable skills, SPMS hopes to prepare its graduates not only to survive but to thrive in the years ahead.
Innovation has already taken root. SPMS recently introduced robotics as both an extracurricular activity and a core part of the science curriculum. Students in Grades 6 and 10 are learning coding and engineering fundamentals, making SPMS the first school in Timor-Leste to integrate robotics into classroom teaching.
In July, the school celebrated its 10th Founder’s Day with a Robotics Experience Day. Every student, from Grade 1 to 12, had the chance to attend a two-hour workshop, build a simple robot, and imagine new possibilities for their future. For many, it was the first time they saw themselves as potential engineers or scientists.
“Let your light shine!” Special chapel session conducted during the weekly Boys’ & Girls’ Brigade programme to celebrate the 10th Founder’s Day on 7 July 2025.
SPMS graduates attend an agriculture course conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture as part of their vocational training programme in SPMS.
SPMS graduates serving as President and Treasurer of the Student Council in Joao Saldanha University, Timor-Leste.
Robotics extracurricular activity: Preparing future-ready students.
Robotics Experience Day for all students in celebration of 10th Founder’s Day.
Hope That Shapes Generations
Not every student follows the same path as Manuel. Georgina, a member of the 2022 graduating class, once dreamed of becoming a doctor. At the time, no medical course was available at TimorLeste’s National University. Unsure of her future, she stayed on at SPMS as a teacher-intern.
It was there she discovered a new calling. Georgina found joy and fulfilment in teaching, recognising that her desire to help people could be realised through shaping young minds. She excelled in her role, earning a place in a three-week work-study programme in Singapore, where she learnt from experienced educators.
Today, Georgina and three other SPMS graduates are studying teaching in Indonesia. They will return in 2028 as the first alumni to serve as qualified teachers in their alma mater. Their decision to exchange personal ambition for service reflects the school’s emphasis on godly character and community impact. In their hands, the vision of SPMS continues: to nurture leaders who will help rebuild a nation.
How You Can Be Part of the Story
Signs of God’s Covenant
On 8 September 2025, as SPMS marked its tenth year since MMS missionary David Chan and his family first arrived in Timor-Leste, a double rainbow appeared in the sky above the school. It was the dry season, and rain had not fallen for months. The rainbow was a timely reminder of God’s promise and presence. I felt reminded that God is indeed able to water and bring life to a parched and thirsty land. He brings colour, meaning, and hope to the last, the least, and the lost.
The rainbow seemed a fitting sign of God’s covenant over SPMS and its mission. From humble beginnings, the school has grown into a beacon of light. As it prepares for Phase 2, the call is clear: to continue bringing education, hope, and the love of Christ to Timor-Leste. (Watch MediaCorp video featuring David: https://www.mewatch.sg/ watch/Find-Me-A-Singaporean-The-Worlds-MyStage-E6-557566)
This Christmas, MMS invites you to partner with God’s work in Timor-Leste.
• Your presence: Gather your church or cell group and visit TimorLeste. Walk the land and discern how God is leading you to serve.
• Your time: School leaders, administrators, and teachers can dedicate two years or more to strengthen local capacity at SPMS.
• Your talents: Those in the building and construction trades— architects, engineers, quantity surveyors—can offer expertise in SPMS Phase 2 development.
• Your resources: Contribute financially. The cost of Phase 2 is estimated at S$6.55 million. Every gift will help build classrooms, hostels, and a chapel that will bless generations. To support financially, scan the QR code with your bank app and indicate“SPMS Phase 2”in the reference field.
As we remember God’s greatest gift of love this Christmas, may we also give our all for Him.
About St Paul’s Methodist School
SPMS was established in 2016 to bring hope to the nation and through education address the spiritual and emotional well-being of Timorese children and youth. Contact cheryl.chen@methodist.org.sg to find out how you can partner with us today.
SPMS graduates studying for a teaching degree in International Teacher’s College, Jakarta. In 2028, they will return to SPMS as fully qualified teachers and sow into the next generation of Timorese. Georgina is second from right.
Double-rainbow on 8 September 2025: God’s covenant promises over the school.
Timor-Leste
Alfred, Helen, and Dorcas Tan
The Tan family worships at Barker Road Methodist Church. Alfred enjoys jogging, swimming, and playing chess. Helen keeps active with Zumba, swimming, and jogging, and enjoys K-dramas and gardening. Dorcas loves cats, Chinese dramas, and exploring green spaces in her neighbourhood.
In giving, we receive; in teaching, we learn; and in serving, we are transformed.
in Timor-Leste SHINING BRIGHTLY
From 23 June to 2 July 2025, our family embarked on a mission trip to St Paul Methodist School (SPMS) in Timor-Leste. Just a year ago, we had made an exploratory visit, arriving two weeks before the groundbreaking of their new campus. We remembered the students practising dances in classrooms and on the parade square, vibrant and full of determination. Those moments motivated us to return this year, ready to serve with open hearts.
At SPMS, Alfred conducted devotions and Habitudes lessons on selfleadership during the Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade parades and camps.
Fish purchased at beach near SPMS.
Alfred at BBGB Camp.
Helen teaching Speechcraft.
Token of appreciation from SPMS.
His hope was that the children would embrace love, respect, and discipline while discovering their unique gifts as emerging leaders. Drawing from local cultural examples and teaching with empathy, he prayed that they would receive not only his words but also the spirit of faith and hope behind them.
Helen felt led to conduct a Speechcraft programme, a public speaking course she had once learned through Toastmasters International. By God’s providence, SPMS was about to hold its first-ever speech contest for upper-grade students, with the theme “Let Your Light Shine: Seek, Serve, and Share.” The training could not have been more timely. It reminded us that when we offer our five loaves and two fishes, God multiplies them many times over.
Even in everyday encounters, we experienced His provision. One evening by the beach near SPMS, we bought four freshly caught fish for just US$5. It was a simple reminder that God’s ways are higher than our ways.
Dorcas was deeply encouraged by the work that David, his family, and the teachers are doing at SPMS. From daily devotions during school assemblies to nurturing conversations between teachers and students, everything reflected the truths of Matthew 5:13–16. The school teaches its students that they are the light of the world, a light that is not to be hidden but placed on a stand to shine brightly. Their good deeds bring glory to our Father in heaven.
During her time with the students, Dorcas felt God planting within her a desire to see them shine ever brighter for Him—in their thoughts, words, and deeds, whether in school or at home.
Our mission trip also became a time of family bonding as we supported one another in ministry. During Helen’s Speechcraft lessons, both Alfred and Dorcas presented speeches, served as evaluators, and helped with moderation and timekeeping. During Alfred’s Habitudes sessions, Dorcas assisted in pacing the lessons while Helen and Dorcas rewarded students who answered quiz questions correctly. Serving together in these ways strengthened our family and spurred us on to continue supporting missions in the future.
We are reminded that God has placed gifts and talents in our hands for His glory. As Paul wrote, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them” (Romans 12:6).
Our prayer is that those sensing a call to missions will humbly present themselves to the Lord, ready to go wherever He leads. Come and walk the land of TimorLeste. Experience firsthand that in giving, we receive; in teaching, we learn; and in serving, we are transformed. Go forth in faith!
About St Paul’s Methodist School
A school that provides formal education with Christian morals and principles for children from remote villages. To learn more, visit https://www.spmstl.org or email mms@methodist.org.sg
Dorcas assisting in Speechcraft. Dorcas with SPMS students.
Group photo with Grade 12 students.
Timor-Leste
JOURNEY OF Obedience and Resilience
Andrew and Helen Kon
They are members of Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church. Formerly colleagues and now partners in life, they are learning to be partners in the mission field—sometimes like two porcupines pricking each other, yet always held together by God’s grace.
Instead of pushing ahead, we sensed God’s call to wait, to trust, and to pray — believing that His plans would unfold in His time.
Embracing the Call: Overcoming Procrastination
God often prepares those who hesitate. Whether it was believing that mission work was “not for us” or being preoccupied with daily responsibilities, both of us—Andrew and Helen—found ourselves delaying our response to the Great Commission. Our journey to TimorLeste did not happen overnight; it was the result of God’s patient work in aligning our hearts with His purpose.
Upon retirement, Andrew spent two years at Trinity Theological College (TTC), where his preconceived ideas about mission work were challenged and reshaped. He began to discern the difference between what he thought God wanted from him and what God truly desired.
Meanwhile, Helen experienced a pivotal moment at the Antioch 21 Summit in 2023, when God gave her a vision of the five loaves and two fish. Despite feeling inadequate, she was reminded by John 1:16, “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” This affirmation of God’s sufficiency led Helen to accept the call to visit the MMS mission fields in Timor-Leste. God’s orchestration was evident as events, people, and schedules aligned perfectly, leading us to walk the land of Timor-Leste in November 2023.
God’s Faithfulness in Action
Our first trip coincided with the post-exam activities at St Paul’s Methodist School (SPMS), where we joined in distributing compassionate food packs to the community. The journey through Akanunu village was physically and mentally demanding, with challenging terrain and sweltering heat. Along the way, cultural
Drawing family tree and discovering about ourselves.
BBQ night to thank Andrew and Helen
At Sundermeier Home, we saw God’s faithfulness again. What began as plans for two workshops expanded to five, as we followed the Spirit’s leading. Initially, we doubted whether the sessions would make an impact due to the students’ limited English and critical thinking skills. Yet their simple and sincere testimonies affirmed that God was moving in their lives.
Everywhere we went, we saw poverty, barrenness, and a lack of infrastructure. The prayer requests of the Sundermeier youths reflected their struggles: illness, family conflict, and uncertainty about the future in a land of scarce jobs and limited networks. Yet God continually encouraged His children. As we bid farewell, we shared Psalm 85:8–9: “Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.”
God’s blessings are promised to the land and its people, but they are called to faithfulness. The three years spent in the Home must lead to inward transformation, not outward conformity. God seeks genuine relationship, not ritual. As a final assignment, the youths were encouraged to reflect on and write down their salvation testimonies.
Learning God’s Higher Ways
The focus of our second trip was shaped by lessons from the first. We carefully planned spiritual programmes, educational sessions, and craft activities, all set for early June 2024. Yet God’s timing proved different from ours.
Shortly before departure, Andrew—usually fit and healthy—fell critically ill with liver sepsis. To this day, the cause remains unknown. As we grappled with fear and uncertainty, our days were filled with unceasing prayer.
While we were still processing Andrew’s illness, Helen suffered a severe allergic reaction to new medication. The escalation was so sudden that we had to call emergency services. The fear and confusion shook us deeply. Soon after, Helen also suffered a freak accident, fracturing a metatarsal in her foot. These setbacks left us wondering if we would ever return to Timor-Leste.
In those trials, we chose to rest in God’s sovereignty, even when His purposes were beyond our understanding. Instead of pushing ahead, we sensed God’s call to wait, to trust, and to pray—believing that His plans would unfold in His time.
Going Forward: Remembering the Call
On 26 March 2025, our Aero Dili aircraft touched down at Nicolau Lobato International Airport. Overcome with joy and relief, we marvelled that the long season of waiting and suffering had finally given way to new beginnings.
We arrived with teaching materials prepared, yet remained attentive to God’s direction. Andrew was invited to teach about the Holy Spirit. In Timor-Leste, traditional beliefs about spirits intermingle with Christianity, fostering fear and misunderstanding. The students’ questions revealed genuine struggles, and we were grateful to address them directly from God’s word.
At Sundermeier Home, we noticed that morning devotions were usually led by the same few third-year students, focusing mainly on explaining the text rather than applying it. To encourage wider participation, we introduced the SOAP (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) method of Bible reading. Initially, resistance came from the third-year students who were weighed down by exams. But to our delight, many first-year students—previously silent—began to share simple yet profound reflections on how God’s word
Two to three hours on foot to outreach points in Poe Bei and Gueguemara villages.
applied to their lives. Truly, the God of providence had gone ahead of us, preparing both hearts and tools for the moment.
Helen also led the English Immersion Programme, where the bookmark-making activity stood out. Students crafted bookmarks not only for classmates but also for children in Poe Bei and Gueguemara villages, offering a tangible way to bless others.
Each day brought challenges and surprises. Gleno’s cool, rainy climate offered comfort but also difficulties, as frequent power outages—more than 65% of the time— highlighted the urgent need for solar panels. Through it all, God was teaching us afresh that His work is not limited by circumstance but thrives when ordinary people offer simple acts of faith.
The late Joseph Chean once said at the Antioch 21 Summit that those blessed in Singapore are called to bless the nations. Indeed, there are countless ways to support MMS work in Timor-Leste, whether through giving, sharing talents, or offering skills. Moving forward, we will continue to seek God’s guidance in supporting on-site missionaries, just as Aaron and Hur supported Moses (Exodus 17:12) while Joshua fought the Amalekites. The battle belongs to the Lord, yet He chooses to work through ordinary people like you and us.
About St MethodistPaul’sSchool
A place to provide affordable, Christian-based education from Grades 1 to 12. Established in 2016, the school currently has 1,126 students (2025). To learn more, visit https://www.spmstl.org or email mms@methodist.org.sg.
About Sundermeier Home
A student hostel supporting rural students who would otherwise walk up to 2 hours daily to attend the district’s only senior high school. To learn more, visit https://www. facebook.com/SundermeierHome or email mms@methodist.org.sg.
Rooftop of Sundermeier Home. Is it suitable for solar panel installation?
Bible study during Passion Week.
Skit presentation on Good Friday.
Easter Sunday service.
First-year students cheerfully making bookmarks.
Bookmarks made by the students.
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
Cambodia / Laos / Nepal / Thailand / Timor-Leste
Student Sponsorship Scheme (Residential)* General @ S$145 per month
[ ] COSI (Cambodia)
[ ] COSY (Cambodia)
[ ] Hostel (Laos)
[ ] Sophia’s Home (Nepal)
[ ] Mettakij Hostel (Thailand)
[ ] Little Candles Methodist Church Dormitory (Thailand)
[ ] Sundermeier Home (Timor-Leste)
[ ] St Paul Methodist School Hostel (Timor-Leste)
Cambodia
Church Planting Ministry
Staff & Ministry Support
Methodist School of Cambodia
COSI
COSY
Post COSI Integration Programme
National Pastors
East Asia Ministry Support
Japan
Homeless Ministry
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
Students Bursary Fund for VMS & LCS
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):
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. *For more information on the Student Sponsorship Scheme, please login to http://www.mms.org.sg/sss
Please apply glue here
“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
Postage
MMS Executive Director Methodist Missions Society 70 Barker Road #06-01 The Methodist Centre Singapore 309936 BUSINESS REPLY SERVICE PERMIT NO. 08175
MMS FAMILY
We are grateful to God for calling and sending more labourers into His harvest. We welcome two new missionaries into MMS family. Both bring with them unique gifts, life experiences, and a deep desire to share Christ’s love with the communities they serve.
We warmly welcome Chan Kum Kit, who joined MMS as a missionary in June 2025. He is serving in Timor-Leste at St Paul Methodist School (SPMS).
Hello, I’m Kum Kit. I come from Christ Methodist Church. Before becoming a missionary, I worked as a public accountant until my retirement. I enjoy choral singing and was once part of three different choirs at the same time. I am also a loyal Liverpool football fan, even though I have never played football or attended a live match. At SPMS, I serve as Vice-Principal, focusing on administration and accounts. There is much for me to learn, and I hope to introduce improvements where needed. I also lead weekly devotions at one of the school assemblies and conduct a monthly devotion for the Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Brigade. Beyond my official responsibilities, I look forward to building relationships with students, teachers, and members of the community. My prayer is to make the most of every opportunity to share the gospel while contributing to the growth and well-being of the nation.
We are delighted to welcome Kathy Tay, who officially joined MMS as a missionary in September 2025. She has been serving faithfully in Japan, where she continues to reach out to communities with the love and truth of Christ.
Welcome
Hello, I’m Kathy from Bukit Panjang Methodist Church. I love gardening, cooking, and baking. My little one-tatami garden in Japan is filled with familiar herbs and vegetables, allowing me to recreate the flavours of home and bless others with food and fellowship. God has also opened unexpected opportunities for me to share His Word, even in the hot springs where I go to rest. By His grace, conversations there have led some women to visit church, touched not by my words, but by the power of His truth. Before becoming a missionary, I ran my own catering business, served in administrative and tourism roles, and was actively involved in ministry since my school days. These experiences helped prepare me for the mission field. In Japan, I serve through discipleship groups in English, Japanese, and Chinese, teaching English, reaching out to the homeless, counselling those facing struggles, and hosting short-term mission teams. My prayer is to keep building bridges of trust, raising local disciples, and seeing the gospel spread through Japan and beyond.
Dear Lord, we thank You for calling Kum Kit to serve in TimorLeste. Bless him with good health and daily strength, and fill his heart with joy and peace as he works. Grant him wisdom and guidance in every interaction and discussion, whether at SPMS or in the wider community. May his service bring glory to Your name and bear lasting fruit for Your kingdom. We thank You for Kathy and her faithful service in Japan. Strengthen her with health and energy as she serves in many areas of ministry. Grant her wisdom to disciple and mentor young believers, and open the hearts of the Japanese people to receive the good news of Christ. Provide local and overseas partners to join in the harvest, so that many more will experience Your love and grace. May Kathy’s life and ministry continue to bring glory to Your name. Amen.
Thank you
We bid farewell to Jeremy Choo, who joined MMS in 2014 and concluded his service in August 2025. He served faithfully as our Missionary Service and Member Care Executive, providing steadfast support to our missionaries and Home Office staff. His gentle spirit and attentive listening have been a blessing to many. Jeremy has now embarked on a new chapter, pursuing a Master of Divinity at Singapore Bible College. We give thanks for his years of dedicated service and pray that God will continue to guide him in his studies and in the next phase of his calling.
Dear Lord, we thank You for Jeremy’s faithful service in MMS. Bless him with wisdom and joy as he pursues his studies, and guide his steps in the next season of life. May he continue to grow in Your grace and serve Your kingdom with gladness. Amen.
Welcome
We warmly welcome Sherrin Chong who joined MMS on 9 October 2025 and has taken over the role of Missionary Service and Member Care Executive from Jeremy.
Her roles include following through the missionary life cycle and its related processes, from pre-field through to post-field. Sherrin has 30 years of administrative experience, supporting senior management and leading office operations across diverse settings from multinational corporations to faith-based organisations. Prior to joining MMS, she was working for a church and a mission organisation, which had deepened her appreciation for cross-cultural ministry and the importance of holistic care for those serving in the mission field. She worships at City Harvest Church. She enjoys reading and going for slow walks which allow her to reflect and recharge.
Dear Lord, we thank You for calling Sherrin to join MMS as the Missionary Service and Member Care Executive. As she begins her new role, grant her wisdom, compassion, and discernment to serve well. May she settle in smoothly, build strong connections with our missionaries, and be a source of encouragement and support to all. Fill her with Your peace and joy as she serves You faithfully. Amen.
Joseph and Grace Mannar have returned from TimorLeste after serving at Sundermeier Home, Timor-Leste from October 2013 to April 2025. Joseph continues to serve as a Country Coordinating Officer for Thailand with effect from 1 July 2025.
Thank you
Dear Lord, we thank You for Joseph and Grace’s faithful service in Timor-Leste over the past 12 years. As Joseph takes on his new role as Country Coordinating Officer for Thailand, grant him strength and good health. Help him to quickly grasp the work and ministries entrusted to him, and guide him with wisdom and clarity. May his service bless the missionaries and churches in Thailand, and may all that he does bring glory to Your name. Amen.
Jeremy Choo MMS Missionary Service Member Care Executive from 2014
WHAT I LEARNT FROM SHARING GOSPEL THE IN A FOREIGN LAND
to 2025.
“Your God is a ‘Western’ God, very unlike our gods. To believe in your God, is to give up my identity.”
Building redemptive bridges to convey the Gospel to all people.
I was a new missionary in a Creative Access Nation and thoroughly unprepared for this response from the man whom I had just shared the gospel with. For the people of that nation, to worship the gods of their land and pass the same traditions down to their children and children’s children were foundational to their identity and it would be an act of betrayal to family and community to believe in a “Western” God.
With many missionaries in that country coming from Western nations, I could understand his misperception. Even though an Asian person, as I am, shared the gospel, Christianity was still seen as a “white man’s religion”.
My co-worker, who is senior to me, responded. “But Jesus was born in Israel. Israel is in the Middle East which is considered part of Asia. Jesus is not a ‘Western’ God.”
He pointed to Romans 1:19-20 which says that God has been plainly revealed to all through creation itself. Drawing from the Apostle Paul’s preaching on the Unknown God to the Athenians in Acts 17:23, my co-worker told the man that the God of the Bible is the God of heaven and earth.
Editor’s Note: This article was first published in the September 2025 issue of Methodist Message.
“We have a god like that, a god that is supreme over all, but we do not know much about this god. There are no statues or temples to him here, but we believe there is a creator, father-like god who created the heavens and the earth,” the man said, showing interest.
The conversation continued to flow as my co-worker explained that the supreme god the man believed in is really the God of the Bible and how He revealed Himself through Jesus Christ. I was amazed at how this exchange was founded on common ground. My co-worker had built a redemptive bridge into the man’s culture, like the Apostle Paul did in Acts 17.
We believe in God who communicates plainly with His people, who desires to be known and reveals Himself through the Word of God. How can we go about telling people about Him?
Find common ground
Affirm what is common between us.
Compassionate curiosity
Ask questions about differences in a way that seeks to understand the other person’s view, rather than to defend your view.
Build redemptive bridges
Relate the truths of the Bible in a culturally relevant way, building a bridge into the person’s culture, worldview and religion. Where possible, point to the similarities in religious/cultural practices, sharing God’s intent on those practices which are documented in the Bible.
My co-worker once told me of his encounter with an old man who lived up in the mountains. Every morning, for 80 years, he would light an incense stick and bow in worship to a statue. Then he heard the gospel for the very first time, from a group of Christians who also invited him to church. However, the loud music, singing and clapping of hands at church shocked the old man and he left the service midway. He complained to my co-worker about the “improperness” of Christian worship compared to the respectful solemnity of his own daily ritual.
To this, my co-worker showed him the Scripture verses on offering incense: God’s instructions on burning and the role of incense in worship. He affirmed the old man’s devotion and encouraged him to bow and offer incense not to idols or ancestral tablets, but to God. Eventually, this bridge led the old man to believe in Christ.
Our role model is Christ who shared our common human experience during His time on earth. He built for us the ultimate redemptive bridge to God the Father through His life and sacrifice. May we also keep building redemptive bridges to convey the Gospel to all people.
JOINING HANDS IN GOD’S WORK
Prayerful support is as vital as physical presence.
Faith Methodist Church (FMC) has designated 2025 as “Missions 2025” (M25), an initiative calling each worshipper to embrace our role as witnesses of God’s goodness by embarking on overseas missions and seizing opportunities both to bless and to be blessed.
My Life Group chose Chiang Mai as our M25 destination, but I was stirred by the Spirit to revisit Surabaya.
I last travelled to this bustling Indonesian port city in 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, on a medical mission trip. FMC has since adopted Kasih Pengharapan Foundation (KPF) as an Acts 1:8 field. With a vision to transform the lives of slum dwellers, KPF runs Pelita Permai (“Little Lights”), a school that provides free education for underprivileged children. They also manage a children’s home, a shelter for unwed mothers, a kindergarten, and other ministries.
In 2020, our team helped KPF run a medical clinic, conduct home visits, and pray with residents. This time, I joined a mission supporting an FMCsponsored Vacation Bible School (VBS) camp for 50 Pelita students. We would also visit KPF’s ministries, including the new Pelita Permai premises.
As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:9, “For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.”
Inspiring Agents of Change
About three hours from Surabaya, the VBS was held in Batu, Malang, a village town surrounded by scenic mountains. The camp theme, “Agent of Change – Transformation,” encouraged children to see how they could make a difference in their communities and join in God’s mission of love.
The Pelita teachers managed the packed schedule, which included morning prayers, talent shows, and Bible teaching. Our mission team of
Marguerita Tan
She worships at Faith Methodist Church and works as a freelance writer and blogger. She enjoys food, film, music, football, travel, and photography.
FMC Mission Team at Childrens Home
15 handled games and crafts, all linked to the theme of transformation. It was a joy to see the children having fun outside their classrooms, which reminded again and again of God’s love for them.
One of the most moving moments was during a Spirit-filled prayer session where many teachers and students were visibly in tears. Although most of us did not speak Bahasa Indonesia, it did not stop us from laying hands on those we felt led to pray for. The appreciation shown by both students and teachers reminded us that prayerful support is as vital as physical presence.
Each mission tripper also came with unique skills. Though we began as strangers, God knitted us together to serve His purposes.
As Exodus 31:6 reminds us, “I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you.”
God Always at Work
After the camp, we visited Pelita Permai’s new premises. Previously, the school was housed in a two-storey building near a slum, but objections from authorities forced its closure. By God’s grace, KPF’s founders, Monica and Liana, found new sponsors who provided not only funding but also land in the city centre.
Although still under construction, the four-storey school already has completed classrooms, staff rooms, and quarters. Once finished, it will serve students from Primary 1 through to High School. Despite challenges with red tape and teacher wages, Pelita’s management trusts that what God has begun, He will bring to completion.
That evening, we visited the children’s home, Rumah Anak Pondok Hayat, which cares for 13 orphans. Some older children are now pursuing tertiary education, with two at university in Taiwan and others training in midwifery and psychology. We prayed not only for the children but also for their dedicated caregivers.
We also visited Yayasan Pondok Hayat, a shelter for unwed mothers
housed in the same building as Living Stones Kindergarten. It provides a safe environment for mothers-to-be, with opportunities for reconciliation with their families, or for adoption of their babies by Christian families.
We prayed over the babies, toddlers, and pregnant teenagers at the shelter. One mission tripper shared her own testimony of carrying a child full-term despite knowing the baby would not survive, a story that moved both the teenagers and the team to tears. We left encouraged that Yayasan Pondok Hayat offers hope and dignity in difficult circumstances.
A Continuing Partnership
Revisiting Surabaya was a blessing. We saw how KPF’s ministries have grown and how God continues to provide. With Pelita Permai nearing completion and a new centre being established for other ministries, the work is expanding.
As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:6, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” Each trip reminds us that while we contribute, it is God who transforms lives. Through prayer, financial support, or service, we can join hands with ministry partners like KPF and witness how God is at work in the nations.
FMC Mission Team at
FMC Team with KPF Co-founders in yellow and stripes up front
READY FOR THE HARVEST: OUR LIVES ALIGNING WITH CHRIST
Rev Philip Lim (林建隆牧师 新加坡卫理公会会督)
Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore. While in Cambodia, he had a dog named Toffee.
In a familiar passage of Scripture, Matthew 9:37–38 reads, “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’”
Yesterday’s position of alignment may not be the same as today’s.
In many parts of the world where the preaching of the gospel is prohibited, we hear remarkable stories of people who are deeply hungry for the good news. Some have even received salvation without having the gospel shared directly with them by another person.
All Christians are labourers in the harvest field. This harvest field includes every single pre-believing life over which we have influence, whether we recognise it or not. The harvest is plentiful. The question is, are we ready to reap it?
Some theologians and Christians believe that the year 2030 will be a significant turning point for the world. They do not claim that Jesus will return in 2030, but that it may mark a notable shift in the world’s spiritual climate, preparing the way for His second coming. Whenever Jesus chooses to return, whether in fifty years or tomorrow, we must be ready.
To reap the harvest that has been sown, we need to align ourselves with God’s ways and plans. Sometimes, it is simply about being in the right place at the right time. Yet, this requires sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, who may prompt us to make changes and adjustments in order to walk in step with God’s purposes.
Every day, we must make small but deliberate adjustments that draw our lives into closer alignment with God. We need fresh revelation daily to know how and where to align ourselves, because yesterday’s position of alignment may not be the same as today’s.
There is a cost to such alignment. It may require us to set aside time to listen to God, or to alter life plans we have carefully made. My prayer is that each of us will have the courage to seek this alignment daily, remembering that there is truly no sacrifice on our part compared to what God has given. Jesus has already paid the ultimate sacrifice; all we do is exchange our own plans and expectations for the far better plans of our Creator.
预备收割：
与基督的生命对齐
圣经中有一段众所熟悉的经文，马太福音9章37~38节记 载：“耶稣对门徒说，‘要收的庄稼多，做工的人少。所以， 你们当求庄稼当主打发工人出去收他的庄稼。’”
在世界上许多禁止传讲福音的地方，依然不断传出令人 惊讶的见证：人们深切渴慕福音，甚至有人未曾直接从别 人那里听到福音，却得着了救恩。
所有基督徒都是庄稼的工人。无论我们是否觉察，这片庄 稼确实包括了我们所能影响的每一个未信者。庄稼已经 成熟，问题是，我们是否预备好去收割了？
一些神学家和基督徒相信，2030年将会是世界的重要转 折点。他们并非断言耶稣必定在2030年再来，而是相信那 一年可能出现显著的属灵转变，为祂的再临铺路。无论耶 稣何时再来，是五十年后，还是明天，我们都必须时刻做 好准备。
要收割已播种的庄稼，我们需要先调整自己契合神的旨 意与计划。有时这仅仅关乎正确的时间、正确的地点。然 而，我们也需要对圣灵敏感，圣灵可能在引导我们做出改 变和调整，好按着神的心意同行。
我们每天都需要刻意地做出细微调整，使生命越来越贴 近神的心意。我们也需要不断从神那里得着新的启示，知 道今天该如何、在何处对齐，因为昨日的定位，今天未必 仍然适用。
我们每天都需要刻意做出细微的调整，使生命更紧密地 与神对齐。我们也需要不断从神那里获得新的启示，好知 道该如何、在何处对齐，因为昨日的定位，今天未必依然 适用。
与神对齐是要所付出代价的。它可能要求我们停下忙碌， 腾出时间去聆听祂的声音，是放下我们精心制定的人生规 划。我的祷告是，愿我们每个人都具备勇气，天天寻求与神 对齐，同时也得牢记：与神所赐的一切相比，我们所付出的 牺牲其实微不足道。主耶稣已经为我们成就了最终极的牺 牲；而我们所做的，不过是放下自己的计划和期待，好换取 创造主倍加丰盛的美好计划。
昨天的对齐定位， 今天未必依然适用。
