Alumnus Patrick Ng – From ADD to VP

A few months prior to entering EAST in 2010, alumnus Patrick Ng’s beloved mother passed away. Then while adjusting to seminary studies, he was also coordinating his home renovation and caring for two young school going children (Kyrie and Ryan). Pat was then diagnosed with a learning disability – Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). He went through a bout of depression while trying to cope with his ADD amidst his studies.

Thankfully, he had a very supportive wife Jacqueline who journeyed with him. The opportunity to join a sketch walk introduced by his care group mates ultimately led him on a healing journey which involved the Urban Sketchers Singapore (USKSG). When Pat was sketching, he was not easily distracted and he could focus on doing what he loved for a few hours at a stretch.

The teachers at EAST accommodated Pat’s learning disability and allowed him to supplement his written papers with his artwork. He found out that he could focus on the lectures better when he sketched and thus in EAST classes, he was sketching while listening intently.

He also went beyond the urban scenes in his sketches and included lifestyle moments such as times accompanying his son to the dentist. He would also sketch faith moments like the time when God ministered to him through the presence of a rainbow. These sketches would then be uploaded and shared on his social media. His social media followers would eventually come to know him as an urban sketcher who is a Christian family man.

Over the past decade that Pat has been involved with the urban sketchers community, he has helped to organise symposiums in Singapore, managed conflicts as a Membership Director, and brought the community together by organising online meetings during the Covid-19 pandemic. Pat was invited to apply for and was eventually elected unanimously to the position of Vice President for the Executive Board of Urban Sketchers (Global).

By the grace of God, Pat has certainly grown in his decade-long healing journey as a person who has had emotional/mental health challenges to become one who is recognized as a community leader. He expressed deep appreciation for the support of his loving family and the community at EAST and Cru Singapore too. Praise God indeed!

Prayer Request:

Pat is involved in the be/hold Arts Festival, 8-17 April 2022. Please pray that God will use this exhibition – the exhibits, the programs and interactions – to do a deep work in the hearts of those who attend. Pray that the art at the Arts Festival will awaken the hearts of people (especially the artistically inclined) to use their creativity for His purposes.