EAST Thanksgiving 2025

 

On 7 November 2025, EAST Community gathered for a time of Thanksgiving as the students ended their classes for the semester. This event was organised the week just before the exam week as a faith step since some will travel immediately after their exam. The current cohort of students comprise of nationalities from 12 countries including Cambodia, Germany, India, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. The event kicked off with a warm welcome by emcee Jing Fei (Singapore) wearing a Peranakan themed shirt (ready for the “Ethnic Fashion Show” afterwards). Then our youngest student Isaac Do (Vietnam) teamed up with Ruth Hmway (Myanmar) to lead the crowd in an exciting time of games. The first question was, “What is the main purpose of Thanksgiving for Christians?” Dr Samuel, an EAST faculty, shouted, “To eat turkey!” He recanted by stating, “To thank God for His blessings!” to approving cheers from all present.

Many of EAST international students coming from developing countries are greatly thankful for the financial aid they have received through faithful ministry partners. Beyond finances, they are also grateful for the EAST community that God has provided them while being away from families. Studying at EAST comes with its challenges of meeting deadlines for assignments, staying up late to complete work, while some having to juggle family responsibilities like caring for young children and raising sufficient finances for their families. But there is joy in the journey, knowing that God has called them to EAST for this season to equip them for His kingdom work.

It was a beautiful time of worship to the Lord and was conducted in a variety of languages viz English, Burmese, Mongolian, Tagalog, Thadou-Kuki (North-East India), and Thai. It was a glimpse of what heaven might be like – everyone singing in different tongues yet melodiously and in unity to our God. There were three Thanksgiving testimonies shared that speaks of God’s faithfulness and goodness. The first was by our youngest student who was deeply grateful for teachers and students who have helped him grow holistically at EAST. The second was by a student from a creative access country and she shared how coming to EAST and studying in Singapore is truly all by God’s grace and His provision of faithful ministry partners. The final testimony was by EAST President, Rev Dr Chan Chong Hiok. He shared how EAST is seeing an expansion of its EAST Extension Centres (EECs) and partnerships beyond the current twelve for which we can thank God for.

Another highlight at the Thanksgiving was the “Ethnic Fashion Show” where students wore their ethnic costumes and showcased their traditional attires. It was wondrously beautiful to see our students in a variety of traditional garbs and some even complete with headgear. Our emcee Jing Fei said that Singaporean’s are often seen in tee-shirts and shorts in our heartlands while all our international friends have such beautiful traditional garments. We are reminded of a creative Heavenly Father who loves peoples from all tribes, nations and tongues and wants to draw them to Himself. It is a reminder that we are living in-between Acts 2 (founding of the Church with members from many nations) and Revelation 7 (God’s children from all nations arrayed before Him) and thus called to the task of the Great Commission.

THANK YOU to all our ministry partners for your years of graciously supporting our students, faculty and staff in theological education at EAST. Below is a student choir presentation from EAST Thanksgiving which we trust will bless you.

 

May you experience afresh the love of God as you look back and ponder His faithfulness over this past year. Shalom.