Inaugural Partners-in-Ministry (PIM) Chinese Program
“I started attending church with my mother when I was just 5 years old, but I truly received Christ as my Lord when I was 15 and was passionate about sharing the gospel with others. Hence, at 16, I started serving full-time and brought the good news to different places. After I married my husband, we decided I’d work to support the family and his ministry so he could serve full-time. However, I wanted to study and be more equipped so that I can serve alongside my husband better.” A student wrote in her application for the PIM Chinese program.
After reading her testimony and purpose of applying for the program, I was very moved. The heart of EAST is to equip Christ-centred labourers for the harvest field. Our hope and mission is to send back students better than when they came.
Building the Body of Christ Through Ministry Weekend
One of the distinctives of EAST is Ministry Weekend, when students, with guidance from mentors, gain ministry experience at various locations. This year, from 14 to 19 September, there were five teams that ministered in three countries, namely Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand. In Thailand, there were three teams – one team led by Dr Benson and Mentoring Group Director Josephine Goh called Team Pathum Thani that had good partnership with Boy’s Brigade Thailand in outreach activities to Myanmar migrant and Thai children; another team led by Rev Liong Kwok Wai, Dr Jarred Jung and Mr Toe Set called Team Mae Sot held a workshop at Hill Light Seminar to equip the listeners for the harvest and Team Chiang Mai led by Mrs Sophie Lo had good partnership with a local missionary and church, and the team was involved in teaching English, storytelling and other creative activities. Team Kampong Chnang was the Cambodian team led by Dr Raymond Go and Mr Derek Atkins who together with EAST students ministered to a school and church. Team Batam led by Drs Keith & Jeannette Shubert, Dr Justine Han and Mr Ng Khim Fatt had opportunities to teach and preach at local churches in Indonesia.
Prayer Pointers 14 September 2023
How may we fulfil God’s mission for us?
“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble””. James 4:6 – ESV.
It may be fulfilled through God’s grace and our humility. Read more
Faculty Josephine Lew: Living A Spirit-filled Life
How can the Pentecost that happened more than 2,000 years ago revolutionise our Christian living even today?
Ms Josephine Lew, an EAST Resident Faculty and Director of Mentoring Group, wrote of the origins of Pentecost and how the presence and power of the Holy Spirit may be made manifest today. Pentecost is usually celebrated 50 days after the Jewish Passover, typically in May. From the book of Acts, it recorded the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit upon the early believers at the very first Pentecost. This resulted in the followers of Christ being transformed through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
From that very first Pentecost, believers are mandated to live in the power of the Holy Spirit by faith as an act of the will to fulfill God-given purposes for their lives.
How then does one live a Holy Spirit empowered life?