Saturday 7 June 2014

Thus I'll Move And Live And Grow In You And You In Me - Sarah Tan

STEPers at the STEPs.

Firstly, all glory and honour goes to God, the One who make all things possible. Thank You Lord. 


And then many thanks to Pr. Joshua for the email where I was gladly introduced to STEP, for without it, I would never have had the opportunity to venture into such a meaningful journey. These three weeks flew by really quickly and seeing the programme come to an end feels so surreal and sad. I must say that I certainly have enjoyed my time in STEP. 

STEP has caused me to yearn for an even deeper and intimate relationship with God, to learn a great deal of theological matters and to make new (and definitely amazing) friends. STEP has also gave me great insights into theologies and issues that I have never put much thought into as well as revealing an overwhelming amount of things I have yet to discover. But with that, it has sparked in me a desire to want to find out more. Undoubtedly, it has made me feel so small because our God is just so great and mighty! 



One major takeaway from STEP is that God can use me, just a speck in the universe, so unnoticeable by many yet so important in His Eyes. Just how great is our God! It is definitely amazing experience God working in my life and that He reveals Himself to each and every individual differently. I have come to clearly see that God has placed amazing people in my journey as advisors, whom I very much need. In light of this, it has aligned the path I am threading on into a certain way in which I believe will lead me to what He has designed for me to do here on Earth and ultimately, into His Kingdom. 



I believe that all of us would agree that STEP was fantastically planned and well organised. We have had many amazing speakers from all walks of life, all with different backgrounds, yet speaking so in sync when we speak of our awesome God, looking towards Him and focusing our discussions and lessons on The One and Only. Undeniably, we have much to thank Pr. Joshua Woo and Pr. Willy Lau for believing in us and playing the largest (humanly possible) part in making STEP so successful. As well as to Joshua (Lee) for capturing all the beautiful memories that all of us have shared together! 



As we were graced with a wonderful celebration on Friday night, Matthew led us in the final song "The Summons". Honestly, I have sang this song many times yet the lyrics never spoke to me quite as loud as it did that night. And so will I go when He calls my name? Will I go where I don't know and never be the same? As the words flowed out from my mouth, all that filled me was a silent cry, a silent cry in submission to Him.


And if I can steal a sentence to sum up the burning desire that STEP has convinced me of, it will be this; Thus I'll move and live and grow in You and You in me.

Sarah Tan

Go - Sarah Tan

The final week of STEP was centred on one word - Go.



I have initially drafted out a few thoughts on the idea of serving but as I type and pen my thoughts on this reflection paper, something hits me (incredibly) hard.



I am currently (it's Friday now) into the second day of helping out at the SonQuest Rainforest Vacation Bible School (VBS) and today's Bible story was on the parable of the Good Samaritan. I am, then, humbly reminded of the sharing by Pastor Andrew at the Onesimus Garden. As he brilliantly puts it; We see, we hear, we do. 



I believe I have often been found guilty for the absence of the last element in this trio.  I am many times just like the Priest and Levite! That I see, I hear, but I walk away. Just as Rev. Lam Kuo Yung have enlightened us that God Himself is the "Missionary" and we are involved in the "Mission of God", we should be like the Samaritan! We have seen, we have heard, now it is the time to GO, to get out and partake in God's mission! 



We are all called to "GO" into different arenas in order to be part of His Mission. It is important to be sure of God's calling for myself and to be prayerful about it. Honestly, although I may not be clearly certain of my calling as of now, but I believe, as a Cabinet Minister casually remarked, that if God calls you to do it, He will open a door for you. If not, He will close the door. And if the door seems shut, and yet it is God's Will for you, He will push you through the door. I felt that it was rather heart-warming to be reminded that when God calls you and I to GO, He will make a way for us. 


Despite the different roles we are made to play in this world, the attitude that we should have as Disciples should be the same. We are to reflect the characteristics of Jesus as we embark on God's Mission. A song by Casting Crowns rightly puts it; "And I pray that they will see more of You and less of me." Ultimately, I believe that the light of Christ will, should and must shine through us as we go forth and do what we are uniquely called to do.

Sarah Tan

Closing Speech for STEP 2014 - Joshua Woo

STEP 2014 Graduation Dinner at National Museum.

The three weeks we spent together have finally lead to your graduation from STEP. In my Welcoming Message on the first day, I described STEP like taking the Transformers Ride at Sentosa’s Universal Studio. The ride begins with the Entrance, then the Briefing, then the Sending. 

The whole experience of taking the ride is very elaborate. It is the gateway for us to step into the world of the Transformers.

Likewise in the first week of STEP, all of us began a journey into the Presbyterian world. We launched STEP at the first Presbyterian church in Singapore. The Synod Moderator Right Reverend Leow Khee Fatt set the mood for us with Matthew 6:33-34, which challenges us not to worry about our own vague future but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and God will provide whatever we need. God is faithful to his people.

As history is testifying, the Presbyterian movement in Singapore began 171 years ago and is still going on. God has been faithful to our forefathers, and he will continue to be faithful to us. On our part, we shall seek him first. This mood paved our entrance into the world of Presbyterian history, theological education, and ministry.

The second week of STEP was when we learnt about 'Word and Sacrament'. The week began with the visitation to a Ministry's Heritage Center. According to the officers, we are the first church group with young leaders that visited the center. The trip established us in the local context. It helps us to grasp the characteristic of Singapore’s society and the challenges that we face.

The reason behind this visitation is to ground our theological thinking with the real sentiment and issues in the society. It helps us to think about God’s Word and Sacrament with the sensitivity to our surrounding. So that we don’t do and think theology in abstract and irrelevant manner---we do church ministry appropriated for the real world. As church leaders, it is our task to constantly connect the society to the reality of God.

The third week was to send you all out as developers of God’s kingdom in the broken world. It is for us to immerse into Missio Dei, the mission of God. “The whole church to bring the whole gospel to the whole world.” (John R. W. Stott)

For this reason, we are challenged to open our eyes to see and our ears to hear. At the farm, we see and hear the need of ex-convicts and pregnant teenagers. At Geylang, we see and hear the face and cry of the vulnerable and disadvantaged. At closed door seminar, we see and hear about the public sphere and political life of the society. 

Here, I have to say that the Transformers Ride analogy stops. The ride gives us an experience. But what STEP gives to each of you is not merely experience but a vision: the vision of God’s coming kingdom into the present world.

This vision is meant “to disturb the comfortable, and comfort the disturbed.” (To appropriate a phrase learnt from Bishop Emeritus Robert Solomon.)

Those who are too comfortable (with everything sorted out in their life) be disturbed by God who will require us to account for what we have done with our gift and talents. While those who are too disturbed (for feeling lost as they search for their own future) will be comforted by the same God who is sovereign over what lies ahead us.

If you have captured this vision of God, then you are set on a path of changes. What begins in STEP changes the church and the world.

Each of you are gifted differently. And all of you come together in STEP to build a future for the Presbyterian community in Singapore and beyond. All of you are trained by top thinkers, entrepreneurs, artists, social activists, and national leaders. When Pr. Willy and I were designing STEP, we were very conscious to give only the best to you all. As the saying goes, “If you want to be a lion, you must train with lions.”

We believe in each of you. And we see so much talent and passion God has given you.

I have seen churches in the west being turned into pubs or places of worship of other religion. Demographic report has shown that Christian population has shrunk in the Middle East to only 5% now. My Australian friend told me she was surprised to see Presbyterian community thriving in Singapore because the Presbyterian churches in her country are rapidly declining. 

Don’t shortchange your own contribution to the advancement of God’s kingdom. Don’t waste it away. We are not merely talking about Presbyterian future here, but the future of the gospel of Christ.

We began the first day symbolically at Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church. That’s where it all started for us in Singapore. This evening, the last day of STEP 2014, we are at the National Museum. The reason we chose this place is to bring your attention to the role you can play in deciding whether will Presbyterian churches continue to thrive, or will we become museum?

Do you want to see Presbyterian community as a movement or a monument?

We know that our whole community is in need of pastoral leadership. The enrollment into full-time theological study among Presbyterian is very low.

Case in point, I enrolled into TTC in 2009. The last two students from ORPC (where I was from) enrolled in the late 1990s. One of them was Rev. Lam Kuo Yung. This means that the gap of leadership development between Rev. Lam and I was ten years apart.

In my class, there were about 30 students. And out of these 30, only 4 were from Presbyterian churches. I graduated in 2012. In the same year, there were hundreds of lawyers, engineers, designers, scientists, marketers, social workers, and etc. who graduated from other institutions. But there were only 4 theological students graduated to serve the Presbyterian community, comprised of more than 30 churches.

If this can be a hint to the trend of Presbyterian churches, then we understand why right now there are so many congregations struggling.

Therefore I want to challenge each of you to prayerfully consider God’s calling you to serve as pastors. I know the title “pastor” is not palatable to many. I was once in that position. Yet when the Lord calls through the cries of our churches, we as disciples have to respond in faith.

Pr.  Joshua Woo
Chairman of STEP 2014

Walk In A Lens Of Faith - Wei Jun

Life, as grounded: Entrance to Bethel Presbyterian Church.

The three weeks draw to a close. We stood at the steps of National Museum of Singapore, taking another group shot, ending our last official dinner together. The past three weeks had been eventful and filled with lots of lessons learnt. 

I have to admit that it was surprising to me as well. I came to the programme, thinking that I might not be able to fully commit to this but ended up coming every day without fail. And this is the reason why: my dearest new friends, thank you for making me feel at home in these three weeks. Each individual had sparked me with the warmth of a Presbyterian heart and with welcoming arms extended to show what it means like to be family. The three weeks had been filled with crazy info-intense lectures to somewhat hardcore hands-on farming. Thank you for keeping me awake and walking through those times together. The memories made and lessons learnt through these three weeks would hold dearly important to me and a STEPping stone to where we shall now begin (I can totally see all your faces and feel your responses now!)

Shiaoyin’s (co-founder of Thought Collective) sharing with us had left me reflective about the past three weeks of STEP, and possibilities to come. In this journey with God, she quoted Charles Spurgeon:
“Until the oyster is sick, it yields no pearls. Heavy damps of adversity make souls verdant. Saints, unlike the planes of earth, grow fastest in the sharpest weather. We make most progress in our voyage heavenward when the wind is rough: calms are more pleasant than profitable; better for comfort than for commerce: fairer in the present than in the retrospect. Affliction cuts the facets of the Lord’s diamonds, and so they shine with a greater lustre to his honor.”
Indeed, tough times are hard to go through. But they help us to discover our potentials and are necessary for growth. God can do amazing things in His time and I simply have to trust in Him. Life is a walk on water, and I can choose to walk in a lens of faith and less of fear. In the near days to come, I pray that I will shine forth for Him.

In these three weeks, STEP had provided me exposures to different possibilities, from facilities of theological studies to ministries and missionary works. These exposures helped me to realign certain biblical foundations to the things we do in the church and even out of the church. Importantly, many of the lessons learnt through the course of this programme would affect and aid in our future disciples, or simply, to share with our fellow church-mates. STEP had opened more doors of possibilities for me, and made me reflect upon ways I could possibly walk on water along with God and for God. While these three weeks come to an end, it simply marks my beginnings of a long, exciting journey ahead, filled with more possibilities and hopes.

Thank you Pr. Joshua Woo and Pr. Willy Lau for making this possible. 

Wei Jun

Reaching Out The Society With God - Michelle Quak

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? But to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God.​ -- ​Micah 6:8

This is the verse that Uncle Timothy from HealthServe mentioned during his orientation talk. What does it mean to "do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God?" in the present day today? When we see suffering and injustice, how should we react? To love kindness (or in some translations, mercy) and respond with kindness and mercy? Will these lead us to walk humbly with God?

There were times when I question the documentaries which were made about migrant workers and shown on TV - "Are these problems really real, or are they hyped up to gain viewership ratings?" "Singaporeans aren't that bad right, this can't be true." Of course I wasn't doubting the reality of such injustice, but the degree to which it was real. These are indeed childish selfish thoughts. 

The STEP program has given me this opportunity to be in the field to experience for myself what reality is like. This has been a real eye-opener and the stories of migrant workers are as real as it can get. The injustice they face is uncalled for - yes, companies are trying to cut corners and survive, but our migrant workers are humans too, they too have families to feed and lives to care for. This injustice need not be restricted to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, but to our peers, fellow species in general, and also to our physical environment. 

To respond to injustice with kindness and mercy is what God has called us for. In the talk on Missiology, Dr. Andrew Peh mentioned something which changed my perception of mission work: we are essentially not doing God's work for Him, but doing His work WITH him. God granted us the privilege of partnering Him in carrying out His work. We should bear this in mind as we reach out to the society as followers of God because it keeps us (or at least myself) from harbouring self-righteous thoughts. I guess this is what it means to walk humbly with God and to exercise humility in the work we do.

Michelle Quak

Mission Field Is Here Too - Sheryl Chng

Since the theme for this last week of STEP is about The Commission, Reverend Lam Kuo Yung was invited to speak to us about Missional Discipleship and Missional Church. He mentioned a lot, and I think this simple phrase “the whole church taking the whole gospel to the whole world” can very nicely sum up his two hours talk. 

According to the handout, this phrase means that all believers should spread all the blessings of the gospel to every man and woman. There are three important aspects of this phrase, and that is the whole gospel, the whole church, and the whole world.

Taking the whole gospel, to me, means telling people not just the good but also the “bad” news. Our trip to a certain charismatic church showed me what the prosperity gospel teaching was really about. Not that it is wrong to talk about the blessings stated in the Bible, but it is also very essential to let people know about the sufferings that some Godly people mentioned in the Bible had to bear. When we spread the gospel, it is important to let others know the whole picture, instead of just one side of the story, because only in this way will people know what they are truly believing in. 

Involving the whole church in mission work, pointed out to me (yet again) that mission is the task of all Christians, and not just the church leaders or the missionaries. To achieve this, it is said that we as a church have to united, and be one. Differences in perspectives and points of view are inevitable in any situation, and there is bound to be disagreements, even in churches. Hence, what is important is then how we resolve our differences. As some of our fellow interns have shared, we should always speak in love, and as what Reverend Lam had mentioned, we should always ask ourselves what God will do in these situations.

And last but not least, the whole world. I think sometimes when we think of mission work, we think of the poor in Africa, the exploited in China, and the starving in India. Often, we forget the poor, the exploited, and the starving right here in Singapore. This phrase really reminded me that even as we serve the community overseas, we also need to remember the non-believers back home. Of course, it is definitely a good experience and a good exposure to go for mission trips overseas, but the spreading of God’s word and His love should also be extended to those in our own country, and to our own family and friends.

The whole church taking the whole gospel to the whole world. Amazing how such a short phrase can encapsulate so much.

Sheryl Chng

Showing God's Love Through Community Service - Sheryl Chng

This week, we went for two really meaningful excursions to the Onesimus Garden and HealthServe. Christian leaders who sincerely believe in serving the community started up both organizations. They spoke to us, and told us a little about what they did, and most importantly, why they are doing what they do.

At the Onesimus Garden, we had the privilege of hearing the testimony of Uncle Charlie, an ex-convict who is now a believer, working the fields of the garden. What I could really sense from his story, was that if all these misfortune that happened to him was what it took to bring him to Christ, it was all worth it. 

I really admire Pastor Andrew Choo and his wife Grace, for committing to this farm project, because besides helping ex-convicts, like Uncle Charlie, and the juvenile teenage girls get back on their feet through counseling and therapy, they also offer them jobs to work on the farm, so that they can sustain and support themselves.

The excursion to HealthServe was also a very enriching experience. So far, I have worked with children, youths, and the elderly, but never once did I have the opportunity to work with the migrant workers. A group of three of us was assigned to a Mainland Chinese migrant worker called Song, and we had a chat with him over dinner. 

We asked him why he came over to Singapore, asked why he was at HealthServe, asked if he was attending church, and basically all sorts of questions to try to get to know him better. And when it was almost time to get back, we asked Mr Song where he was going after dinner, and he replied in Chinese, that he was going back to the place he slept at. The way he phrased his sentence, implied that he didn’t think of Singapore as a home, but merely as an accommodation, somewhere which provided him a roof over his head. 

For me, this brought to light the isolation many migrant workers might feel in our community. It is definitely not easy to be alone in a foreign land, so instead of “tolerating” these migrant workers, we should really learn to “accept” them, embrace them, and invite them into our community. 

In conclusion, these two trips enforced the point that community service is an avenue through which we can share God’s love with others, and that mission work can and should also be extended to community service.

Sheryl Chng

Objectification - Yuanjie

On so many occasions we've easily went ahead to judge and dehumanize certain groups of people. The activities hence gave a different way to look at these whom we so easily turn into objects.

One such group is the clients of HealthServe. As CSWs and foreign construction workers, they have been looked upon as functional beings. Sharing a meal and talking with them brought another light to their existence and placed human faces and human stories to these characters in this societal narrative. In the process of the meal was also a realisation of where God has put us as Chinese Singaporeans in ministry and how important Chinese churches are in bridging these gaps and extending the gospel to these people (foreign workers). As I said my first ever prayer in Chinese, and I went about awkwardly continuing the conversation (with two of my similarly awkward peers) I can't help but feel a sense of regret that I've let this language be as distant as it is.

We're also known to dehumanize politicians and people in power, reducing them to mere campaign posters and political rhetoric. A dialogue session with a Minister broke that silent wall temporarily. The context with which he engaged us was not like that of the student-politician kind of engagement, but as fellow Presbyterians and Christians. It was eye opening as he shared about his journey, about policies, and how to harmonise his work carrying various hats and his faith. It was relevant, and gave insight and direction to myself too, on how I should conduct myself and to be a good testimony in my work in the public sector.

Having gone through three weeks of the program, I find a need that I cannot ignore. The step program has indeed opened many possible paths, and also made aware the many areas that are lacking in help. Indeed, the harvest is plenty and the workers few. I should seriously consider my role in church and society as a Christian.

Yuanjie

Trusting God In Times Of Uncertainty - Yuanjie

This particular Monday was exceptionally enlightening, not so much because of the content or the performance of the speakers or the presenters but rather because it really did touch on a relatively heart felt issue and mindset that I always held. Having grown up in a household where practicality is of utmost importance, many of my life choices have been made on the premise of usefulness and potential, and under the need to "reduce risks".

Thus today was a big challenge, having seen two examples of people going into uncharted territories and doing where the work is needed and answering the call as where is needed. At the same time, the concept of risk reduction is completely not within their mindsets, but rather answering a certain calling and to respond in action to that hearing being the highest priority. With pastor Andrew Choo continuing with the farm without exactly knowing how it will turn out, and shiao yin continuing the restaurant business despite the ever present financial challenges. It goes against every fibre of my rational thinking, and yet makes perfect sense somehow.

In light of this, perhaps a disclaimer is necessary; I do not think that this should ever mean that everyone should quit their day jobs and go into social enterprises. I believe that each and every one of us has a path as charted out by God. I know at least to a degree of certainty that my path may turn out to be quite different from the two examples, and perhaps my area of expertise or ministry could be vastly different. Nevertheless, it sure is a great encouragement of how to trust in God's plan for us even if we do not know where it leads.

This was a badly needed message, I realize, even though I did not even know beforehand that I needed it. As much as I plan and self reflect, I really do not know what I need as much as He does, and I'm really glad for His ever present reminders.

Yuanjie

A Great Cloud Of Witnesses - Grace Yong

Me and a cute boy~ heeheeee
This past week, one of the verses that has spoken to me a lot is Hebrews 12:1,2. 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

The whole journey of STEP has come to an end, and the knowledge gained, the experiences and fresh perspectives are things that I hold dear to me. One of the biggest takeaways from STEP is that it has opened my eyes to the many ministries, sacrifices and contributions of different brothers and sisters in Christ who have heard and responded to God’s calling. I am thankful that this road we are journeying on is not an individual, lonely route, but that there are fellow servants of the Lord who are seeking his will and his way, and supporting and working with each other. 

These “great cloud of witnesses” can refer to people of the past who have sacrificed so much just to allow the gospel to reach us in Singapore, and can also refer to people who are living now and leading our churches towards God’s direction. STEP was a great chance for me to learn about and meet some of these people in person, and knowing that I am not alone in this race. It is comforting to know that others have been through and overcome whatever obstacles or doubts I will face in the future. In a sense, we are just like small parts of a big puzzle which God is putting together. We each play a role, regardless of our vocation or jobs, big or small, for God searches our hearts and willingness, and not our merits or accomplishments at the end of the day!

Hence, although currently I feel slightly burdened by the amount of information and finding God’s direction in my life, the race marked out for me, I know I can place them all in God’s hands and fix my eyes upon Jesus! This sounds quite cliché, but through these 3 weeks I have seen and felt God moving and working among his good servants here in Singapore! 

I pray that as we move on in our lives and seek to glorify God and run this race, that he will allow us to fix our eyes upon him, and away from things that are so minute yet distract us so much. Jesus is the pioneer/author and perfector of our faith, and that is why we don’t need to have so many burdens, for although we are lacking and sinful in so many ways, his presence and he himself makes our contributions and offerings to Him perfect. It is not so much how capable we are, but how amazing he is! Lord help me to never lose sight of your perfect grace, love and beauty every single day.

Grace Yong

A Community In Need - Grace Yong

It’s quite amazing and funny because while I was writing this at the hawker centre, some people came up to ask me for donations to build up a community hospital. It goes to show how real this situation is, and how our community is truly in need of our service and contributions.

This week of visiting Onesimus farm and healthserve has been very eye opening for me. It has shown me how there are people in our society who are helpless, discriminated against, neglected and exploited. Many of us, myself included, may have heard about it or seen before, but decided to turn a blind eye on it, or leave it at the back of our minds. This week, I have been reminded that in this broken and desolate world, change may not be effected so easily, and situations are multilayered and complicated, with no quick and fast solution. However, that does not mean we should ignore the situation and not do anything.

After listening to Pastor Andrew’s sharing, I feel even more convicted. It is so true that often we are all talking about big things but not acting at all. Words can be inspiring and ambitious, but after hearing and seeing the reality of the situation, we need to do something. What is the bible speaking to me about? What is God calling me to do? I pray that on this journey of becoming a social worker, God will use my life to serve the community and His people. 

Recently, I have been asking myself and others, what can the gospel do to help them? And after much searching, I have realized that in asking this question I have underestimated and undermined the gospel. It is not just random words or a story thought up by man. It is so powerful and beautiful that it in itself is enough to give us hope, even in the most desolate of times. It is powerful not through us who share the gospel by words, but because of who the gospel points to!

Pastor Andrew and his wife Grace have been very inspiring to me because when we met them they looked sunburnt and sweaty, but still I could see so much passion and conviction in them. Their humility touched me. It is truly God’s grace and love moving in them that makes them willing to sacrifice comfort to work in such tough conditions.

Grace Yong

Life Lesson At The Farm - Wei Jun

The food of lives, God's lesson for me. Picture taken in Onesimus Garden, rows of other beds of soils waiting to be ploughed.

The start of the commission week had brought us to many eye-opening places. One of which included the Onesimus Garden. Pastor Andrew Choo and Grace are dedicated to helping a diverse range of people such as ex-convicts, single moms and mentally disabled. Using farming as a therapeutic and restorative therapy to engage people, the simple aim of both was to touch lives. Pastor Andrew shared with us how we could relate and reflect on the things of our lives while carrying out our assigned tasks. Some of us had a chance to get our hands busy in the greenhouse, preparing the soil for the next sow. I thought I would be able to changkol away some angst kept in me, built over the course of the year. However, as I plough on, I truly understood what God was speaking to me.

The greenhouse was hot and the morning rain had left an impact on the temperature of the greenhouse and the soil. After demonstrating how the soils had to be loosen and how the weeds had to be plucked out thoroughly, Pastor Andrew handed me his changkol. The wet compact soil made it more challenging to loosen them and that simple 20 minutes well taught me important lessons. As I changkol-ed on, I found many beautiful colors within the brown compact. It then dawned upon me that in the same way, God shakes us and breaks us at times, and that’s when beauty can be exposed and growth (of the plants too in this case) can literally take place.

At the end of my 20 minutes session with the soils, I was drenched with sweat and my hands were filled with blisters. Every hard work leaves a mark. Hard times in seasons of our lives can be painful and leave marks in us too. But all at the same time, if that opportunity wasn’t taken up, and that experience wasn’t gone through, I would have never learnt. I walked away from Onesimus Garden with the blisters throbbing with pain on my hands, but feeling thankful for God’s grace, lessons taught and simply revealing to me through such simple manners.

We had a chance to visit Healthserve at Geylang too on our second day this week. That was my first time sitting down with a migrant worker for a meal. Sharing his life with us openly despite our brief first meeting, our shu shu revealed to us some of the struggles migrants like himself face, far-away from home and in hopes of making a good income for his family back in China. Often times, we take our fellow migrant workers for granted, easily forgetting or ignoring how laborious and dangerous their jobs can be. Additionally, some like shu shu may be injured, hence finding it extremely difficult to find jobs (in the meantime while waiting for a solution to their problems, and finding themselves in large sums of debts having travelled so far to seek for employment).

Shu shu reflected to us how he was introduced to the Christian community by a friend and was really thankful that he met everyone who had extended a hand to help him and had eventually become a second family to him. It was a truly humbling experience that the church is contributing in ways to ease the physical and emotional burdens that some of our migrant workers may carry (and most of them feeling alone in their personal battle in a foreign setting). The meal had brought social issues that are occurring and well hidden within Singapore quite literally in my face. I sat beside Shu shu on the dinner table, sharing a space that belonged to all of us at that moment in time, and from that point onwards, remembering simply that these migrant workers are humans with emotions and needs, calling (sometimes screaming) simply for mutual respect from us, citizens of the host nation, who often neglect and easily discriminate against them. It was indeed the best dinner date (that is most meaningful) I had in a long while.

Wei Jun

God's Mission Is More Than Evangelism - Alethea Lim


“How has STEP helped you in discovering God’s calling for you?”

Out of the three questions posed to us during the debrief session, I personally found this to be the most challenging to answer. To start, I came into this programme expecting to learn more about theology and never considered serving in full-time or part-time ministry, let alone serving as a future leader of a Presbyterian church; leadership has always been a daunting affair to me, and to be honest it still is. Perhaps it is time for me to consider stepping out of my comfort zone and to simply entrust it all to God.

As a lay member of the church and as a Christian, however, I think STEP has reaffirmed what I’ve believed to be God’s calling for me, and that is to follow Christ, to be an effective salt and light to the world God created, to make contributions – no matter how little they may seem – to my church, and to be involved in marketplace missions. As Abigail mentioned, “We have been placed here [in STEP] for a reason”, and I wholeheartedly agree with that.

Growing up, I’ve always believed that God has placed me in Singapore, in the family I’m born in, in the schools I’ve been to, in the church I am attending, in the course I am studying, and eventually in my future career for a reason. He knew me even before I was formed in my mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5) and He knows the plans he has for me (Jeremiah 29:11). This doesn’t only apply to me, but for all of us. God has a perfect design for each and every one of us, and He works in mysterious and wonderful ways. So even when we struggle to think about what God’s calling is for us, or even in just our usual daily struggles, we can have faith and take comfort that God is taking charge of our lives.

In this journey of not only discovering God’s calling but also living out a Christian life, I have wondered about how I can serve God in my best capacity. I recognise that I have received so much, and I want to give back in any way I can, but I’ve struggled with finding the most suitable outlets for it. Serving in the church choir and worship team are among them, but I know I should be doing more, which is something I’ve struggled with, especially because – prior to joining STEP – I thought missions were purely evangelical.

But God placed me in STEP for a reason, maybe a few reasons, and I think one of them is for me to realise that there’s more to God’s Mission and missions than simply evangelism. There are “worlds” out there that I have yet to explore or learn how to handle and for the church to reach out to, like creation care and different worldviews and faiths.

For instance, before joining STEP, I would never have made the link between God’s Mission and creation care despite having loved and admired God’s creation for so long. In addition, despite having grown up in a Christian environment, most of my friends are non-Christian, and there have been times when I doubted if I was being an effective salt and light to them, but when I think back now and remember how some of them have asked me, “Are you a Christian?” before I even mentioned my faith, I realise that maybe that is God’s way of telling me what His calling for me is. Furthermore, I have found and been reaffirmed, through STEP, about God’s calling for me to marketplace missions. As a future healthcare professional, there are certain limits to what I can do, but I hope that in the same way Christ has brought light into darkness, and following the example of the good Samaritan, I can shine and be a beacon to my future patients through the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Finally, I just want to thank Pastor Willy Lau and Pastor Joshua Woo for organising the wonderful STEP programme, and the speakers and organisations for sharing with us. Thank you to all my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ whom I have spent the past three weeks with for the amazing time of fellowship and learning. And more importantly, thank you God for bringing us all to STEP and making this all possible.

To God be the Glory!

Alethea Lim

People Need God - Sharon Long


Last Tuesday was the first time I’ve been to HealthServe as a volunteer and it was a truly eye-opening experience for me. 

As Singaporeans, we generally lack the compassion for foreign workers and tend to overlook their needs and struggles since we do not interact with them frequently. Truth to be told, I am guilty for feeling this way towards them. Even though I might see them working under the hot sun or carrying heavy materials at the construction site, I lack the compassion in my heart and my heart fails to go out to them. However, after volunteering at HealthServe and understanding their situation better, I have definitely attained a different view towards these foreign workers.

It was great having to interact with a foreign worker and understanding his lifestyle. I have learnt so much despite having only approximately one hour with him. His experience reminded me how blessed I am as a Singaporean as I do not have to go through 50 minutes of bus ride, long and laborious working hours and even suffer a broken finger (injured by a saw). He was also very careful with his money spending and gave us many advices on financial planning and filial piety. While conversing with him, I was once again prompted about the importance of Chinese language. I thank God for putting me in a mandarin speaking church and cultivating me to spread the gospel in Chinese, allowing these foreign workers to be part of my outreach communities. However, easier said than done. I think my fellowship and I will have to take some time before gathering the courage and become more accepting of the foreign workers, since there already is an existing stigma towards them in the society.  

Later that night, we walked the routes of Lorong 16 and 18 to witness the commercial sex workers and how different their lifestyles are from ours. As I walked along the streets, I saw the several ladies who were dressed scantily trying to catch the attention of men walking past. Seeing them like this, it stirred my heart as I couldn’t comprehend why they would do this to themselves. Was this their only means of survival? Were they really that in need of money? It was a mixed feeling of both frustration and pity. I immediately saw the need of God in their lives and how God will be able to bring them out of their misery. Then again, reflecting on this, will I be daring enough to spread the gospel to them? I pray that perhaps, by volunteering at HealthServe, or through any other medium or opportunities, I could one day reach out to this community and tell them the good news of God. 

Sharon Long

Theology Drives Christian Living - Sharon Long

Last Sunday, we attended a service at a New Creation Church and there are many things to reflect on. In all honesty, I would say I generally enjoyed the service since it was much more sensational and feelings-evoking despite any flaws that were present throughout the session. It was actually comforting to see so many young people attending church and to know that the church community is actively growing.

Something that I have found intriguing since years ago was why mega-churches are so attractive to youth. Back in secondary school, I had a bunch of friends who suddenly started attending Heart of God (HOG) church and even went to the extent of inviting my whole cohort to their HOG event. Even from my church, I saw some friends whom I grew up with in church, leave for NCC. One answer I attained from my visit to NCC last Sunday was that these churches provide what the youth enjoy – sensational worship and sermons. 

Perhaps I am too used to the worship songs back in church, the songs led in NCC seemed shallow and repetitive without any purposeful meaning with the exception of evoking more feelings in us. Since youth these days are very much feelings-led, I feel that that could be the reason why they enjoy going to mega-churches so much. Truthfully, if I were brought to Christ in a mega-church, there could be a large possibility that I remain there because “the feeling is right”. Despite that, looking at the brighter side, mega-churches have done well in bringing more people to Christ, which is something my church and I need to reflect on. The youth from my church need to be more enthusiastic like those from mega-churches and outreach to bring gospel to others.

Sensational sermons are another contributor to the high rates of youth attendees. As Singaporeans, we are often stressed up and so caught up with our lives. Sermons with many theories of grace thus attract people to come forward to church and seek peace in God as they reflect on God’s grace for that week. Though I agree on always reflecting on God’s grace, I feel that it is also important for people to know about discipleship and fighting the war for God, instead of merely treating God as our shield. On a side note, I was appalled when I was told that NCC does not emphasise on discipleship. Wasn’t it clearly stated in Mat 16:24, that we have to deny ourselves and carry the cross to follow Christ? Looking at a few of my NCC friends, I can’t help but think this wrong teaching could be why I often see them living a non-Christ like life even though they profess themselves as Christians. I pray that one day, the eyes of their hearts would be opened and see the importance of living a life of a disciple. 

Sharon Long

The Power Of The Gospel - Elvira Tan

The gospel has always been not just a message, but a life-transforming power. And through the lives of the Christian migrant worker converts, the power of the gospel was displayed in full view. We saw the power of gospel to bring hope in the face of hopelessness. Many of them are facing a seemingly hopeless situations in Singapore, an irresponsible company who refuses to give them any pay or medical attention, and thus no income to survive in Singapore or to send back to their families. And precisely because of their medical condition, they are unable to even find other small sources of income. 

In this time of darkness, the gospel is what they need, the gospel of hope, of a righteous God who loves and initiates a reconciliation with His rebellious people at His own expense. It gives them a source of never-failing strength, an eternal perspective to a temporal problem.  Because of the gospel, they have been redeemed from despair and are able to rejoice. 

And this is the difference between a Christian’s joy and happiness. Happiness is circumstantial, once circumstances change for the worse, one becomes unhappy. But a Christian’s joy is unchanging, because it is rooted not just in the unchanging gospel of what God has done for us, but also in the unchanging nature of God. And when the source of joy is unchanging, the Christian’s joy will remain even in the worst circumstances. And that is why the Christian migrant workers can rejoice even in the face of despair, because when no one else cares, there is always one who will. Even when all seems lost, there is the shepherd who will take care of His sheep. And that is why they need to hear the gospel. 

But more than just bringing healing and hope, the life-changing gospel transforms once broken lamps into spotlights shining for and pointing others to Jesus. We met Charlie, an ex-convict who used to sell drugs and entered jail multiple times. His wife divorced him, his beloved children left him, and his whole world seemed to collapse, until he met Christ. And because of the gospel, he has now returned to Onesimus garden, helping not just in the running of the farm, but in the restarting of people’s lives through the gospel. 

We also heard from Dr Goh Wei Leong about how the HealthServe ministry grew as more and more migrant workers came to join them, and he realized that the Singaporeans working there were not the source of the growth, but it was the migrant workers themselves. They were the ones bringing their friends to HealthServe, and telling them the gospel, or living it out in such a way that their friends were unable to not be curious about what makes them so different. And because of these living testimonies of the power of the gospel, the gospel continues to reach more and more migrant workers. And this is not just by the original evangelists, but by the evangelized. They too, became fellow participants in God’s mission. 

And yet I find my actions often betray a subconscious trivialization of this power, whether it’s through not being an active enough proponent of the gospel, or not fully living out the gospel in my life, or even not expecting great things through the sharing of the gospel. Often I mask my belittlement of God’s power under the cover of being realistic. Knowing that the ground is tough in this postmodern and religiously plural age does not discount the fact that God is able to work greatly in this place. And I often unconsciously discount what God is capable of doing. But I was reminded this week, that if it is the mission of God, he can and will bring it to fulfilment. And like the conversion stories show, the gospel is a healing and life-transforming power.

Elvira Tan

A Response To A Need - Elvira Tan

The theme for this week’s program was “The commission”, and we saw the different ways people did missions, partners of the mission of God. We were exposed to the different mission fields right at our doorstep. Through this week, my eyes and ears were opened to the many needs right here in Singapore. We heard of and met the ostracized and the forgotten, not just by society, but even by the church. There are so many who are in dire need of the love and comfort that the gospel and Christians living out the gospel can bring. There are teenage mothers, prostitutes, prisoners and foreign workers living in our midst, rejected by or victims of society. 

But knowing the many needs in Singapore should not be an end in itself. And this week we were introduced to people who not just saw the need, but responded to it. Pastor Andrew Choo and his wife Grace, upon hearing the story of a Christian teenage mother rejected by the church, started the Andrew and Grace home for teenage mothers like her. They also opened the Onesimus garden as a form of restorative therapy for prisoners and ex-convicts, where through the whole process of farming, their emotional and physical health is nursed, and they are able to return to a productive and useful life as a contributing member of society. The restoration and rehabilitation is achieved not only through the physical act of farming, but also through the metaphorical association between different stages of plant cultivation and the gospel. 

We were also introduced to Dr. Goh Wei Leong and Timothy who started HealthServe, an organization catering to injured foreign workers and prostitutes. Foreign workers who injure themselves while working in Singapore often have to go for many months without pay or even proper medical attention before finally being sent back to their home country. HealthServe was started in response to this need, providing the workers with medical services, a loving family and most importantly, the gospel. Timothy also works with the poor in Singapore, building relationships with the children through soccer clinics. 

I am a very ignorant and pampered Singaporean, having lived in a sheltered bubble all my life. But now that my claim of ignorance has been invalidated, how should I thus respond to the needs presented before me? That was the challenge that came out very strongly after this week’s experiential learning trips. And thank God for people like Dr. Goh Wei Leong and Pastor Andrew Choo, who not just saw or heard the need, but responded in action to it. Thank God for allowing us to partake in His mission, and for broadening my perspective to see a much bigger field of people in Singapore whom we can be missioners to, and for spurring me to take action. (first by volunteering with HealthServe) And I pray for God to grant us the sensitivity to the needs of people around, and for the initiative to take up action in response to the need.

Elvira Tan

What Is God's Will For Me? - Changzhong

Kuik Shiao Yin’s journey as an entrepreneur seeking, step by step, God’s plan for her, has inspired me. In some ways, it echoes my own life’s journey, where our lives are slowly yet certainly steered by expectations and ambition towards a corporate life of stifling suits, under the glare of fluorescent lights. 

I really admire her ability to discern God’s call to her, and the sheer courage that she displayed in taking up that call, and struggling so valiantly even when the weather turns stormy, and the waters grow choppy.

I gleaned two questions from her journey that I can use to decide mine. 

1.    What is God’s call?

2.    If I discern His call, will I heed it?

The bible says that His sheep can discern the Good Shepherd’s call. In my own life, I have been fortunate in the sense that I have many options, but the problem is that I have yet to discern what God has in store for me. Yet for me, this is not too troubling, because I believe that as long as I seek, knock and ask, He will reveal His ways to me eventually.

What troubles me is, when I figured out which door to open, and it is not a door that I like, will I open and walk through it? This is my greater struggle, because honestly, I do not think that I will be able to humble myself and ignore my own ambitions, taking up a job that commands less pay.

Yet Shiao Yin mentioned a few things that have helped strengthen my resolve. First, that it is better to live life on the water, instead of one that is in the boat, because it will strengthen our walk with God. Essentially, a life of faith and trust, not fear. I do think that this is an easy concept to grasp, but a difficult one to practice. Nevertheless, it makes sense because we are after all, Christ followers, and if His command to me is to take the road less travelled, then my rejecting it will be akin to rejecting Him. That is something I will never want to do.

Secondly, Shiao Yin told us that to rejoice is a choice and that we can choose to embrace the situation instead of struggling against it. Pastor Kuo Yang, in a discussion I had with him, also mentioned that if the going gets tough we can simply choose to embrace the pain and suffering. This ability to choose does not originate from ourselves, but from Christ in us, who has triumphed over pain and suffering, and has allowed us to partake in that victory as well. Furthermore, when we start sinking, as Peter did, the Lord was there, to fish him out. 

I believe that as long as we follow Jesus with a pure and contrite heart, only goodness will come out of it.

While the experience has changed my thought and perspectives, whether I will be strong enough to carry it out, I do not know. 

Only Christ can tell.

Changzhong

Living To Point To God - Abigail Lai

Weeding out my thoughts, “What are you saying, little weed?”

The last week of STEP started with a trip to Onesimus Gardens where I was rather looking forward to being down-to-earth. We walked along a clayey path and got our shoes very dirty, and when we got to the tent we were asked to help un-weed the soil for the next batch of vegetables/ crops.

The few hours yielded much more than I expected it to. When I started digging, I started with the smaller weeds. Didn’t take photos, unfortunately, but these weeds were so small they were almost unnoticeable. Yet it was important to uproot them all for any weed will prevent the vegetable from growing at its best. Just as in our lives, we often overlook the smaller weeds - the smaller distractions, the smaller sins. Do we let them go unnoticed? Will they eventually grow deeper and larger until we have to dig deeper to remove them?

Then there were the larger weeds. These were stubborn and took a lot of skill to remove. We resourcefully used the spade, hoe (I don’t know how to spell the chunko?), and dug deep with our bare, gloveless hands and pulled out these large weeds one by one. It may sound a little hard to understand, but when I pulled out one of these larger weeds, felt the roots detach from the clayey soil and saw the whole weed dangling in my dirty hands, I felt a great sense of satisfaction. And I thought - this is how it feels when we let God dig deep into us and remove the idols and things we cling on desperately to. Freedom from sin is a wonderful feeling. 

Sometimes I used the spade/ hoe and in my attempt to loosen the soil (it was really like clay because it rained the night before and it was like trying to cut through thick glue) I inadvertently chopped off the weed leaves from its roots. The blade just made a clean cut across the stem so that while on the surface I could no longer see any weed, I knew somewhere below that clay there were roots that weren’t dealt with. The farmers repeatedly told us to remove the roots and not just pluck out the leaves or the weeds will just grow again. And that’s sometimes just like us, isn’t it? On the surface, we present a clean, fine life. We dare not admit a lot of the secret sins we’ve committed, and commit daily. We avoid showing our lives are not as in shape as we like and show it to be. But if we do not dig up these roots, the weeds will grow. They will thrive and survive until we uncover all these things within us and let God do what He wants with them. 

I think a life that truly is given to God is lived in such a way that people look at us and realise they need God too. Perfection won’t quite do the trick, our struggles and persistent walk may fare better.

Abigail Lai

Learning To Love Others - Glenn Ong

The visit to HealthServe was eye opening. The opening game was well done, to see the many reasons why many groups of people want migrant workers to have low wage. I was 1 of the 2 people in my group to role-play as the migrant worker during the game, the feeling of being entangled, caught in between everyone who wants you to be paid as little as possible really is horrible. 

The meal with the worker was the 1st time I was having a meal and hold a decent conversation with a migrant worker. To hear their struggles they are facing now, being injured and unable to work therefore no income for them to survive, it was just heart breaking. All I could do was to lend him a listening ear, buy him a drink and pray. It really broke my heart to see so many of them getting underpaid, overworked and now injured. This makes me see the sinful nature of man. 

How each of us wants the best not for one another, but for themselves. How the businessman wants to get the most out of them, paying the least they can at the same time. Sad to say, it’s not only the non-Christians that are selfish, even the Christians are. I know I am too, always pushing the blame and punishment to others, trying to get all the glory when I do something or achieve something. I’m ashamed many times because of what my desires are and how I give in to them. But I know there’s hope, hope in Christ for He has promised that we will be made new, sanctified, I pray that my desire is to know and love God more than myself.

What is love? Love is God sending Christ down to die so that we can be reconciled with Him once again. I pray that I’ll love God and His people. I pray that I’ll stop saying that I’ll love, I pray I’ll start loving instead.

Glenn Ong

Mega-church, Knowing God, and Idolatry - Glenn Ong


One thing that has been on my mind is the exposure trip to a mega church. There’s just so much to say and share from that experience. After the service, I was happy and yet sad at the same time, however; the more I think, the sadder I become.

Many mega churches have many new members/conversions every week, that’s a really wonderful thing! However, at the same time, I’m really saddened by the sharing from the leaders. Many emphasize on HYPER GRACE and ignore the many things that the bible takes about. Things such as trials, stories such as Job as well as how a true Disciples of Christ life is like, to see and know the Cost of following Christ. 

I pray that they will one day know the entire bible, not just about hyper grace, how God will bless them and stuff like that. I pray that the members will truly call Jesus their Lord and Saviour, not so that they can GAIN BLESSING, but because of what He has done for us. 

During this exposure to a mega church, I realize how important knowing God and Jesus is so important. That what Rev. Tan said is true, you don’t need to FEEL God for Him to be there. What the mega church did was to create an ambience that made you feel more than to think during worship. One that I wasn’t comfortable with, one I don’t agree as well. I could go on longer but I’ll stop here.

On 2nd June, we went farming!!! Woohooo! Something so different from the many lectures that I keep attending. There was one thing that really made me think as I was plucking weed out. Charlie mentioned how plants had a strong will in them to survive, unless you pluck the root out, the weed will still be able to grow, manifest and harm the crops. So, I was walking down the line looking for the weeds that were growing. The big ones were the easy ones to spot and to pluck, but when it came to the small ones that were just budding, some part of me was too lazy to go and pluck it. But of course, cannot don’t pluck la, so I super sian, suck thumb and just pluck. But that made me think. 

The small ones that we CHOOSE to IGNORE will GROW and harm the crops. Likewise, not only the big idols in our life do we need to remove them, the small ones as well. If we take away the big ones but leave the small ones there, it will grow and it will harm us. That made me go back and reflect. I pray that I will be able to trust God and eradicate all the weeds in my life, not just the big ones, but the small ones too. 

Glenn Ong