Alumnus Terrence Thomas: “Do not put God in a box.”
Terrence Thomas, an EAST alumus who graduated seven years ago with a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry, recently made a trip back to Singapore with his wife Tamara (a Vice President in Human Resource at an MNC) from the US. EAST News took the opportunity to catch up with this beautiful African American couple to find out what God is doing in and through their lives and ministry.
Below is a short interview with them.
Q: What have you been up to since your graduation from EAST in 2016?
A: My hometown is Connecticut but Tamara and I went back to Cincinnati in Ohio to settle down back in 2016 and I was on staff with Citygate Church from 2018-2020 before being ordained as a care pastor in 2021. During Covid, ministry went virtual but we were doing food pantry and also delivering food to needy people. Our church was providing groceries and even toilet paper (remember the toilet paper shortages?) to people around us. The smaller churches were also able to use facilities and resources from Citygate church. Our church has over 3,000 members and 21 care pastors led by Pastors Eric & Kim Petree. It is a non-denominational church which has a vision of being “a church that looks like heaven”. Tamara and I counsel new couples, or couples in distress by journeying with them, and I (Terrence) conduct both weddings, officiate funerals as well besides doing care visits and a lot of behind the scenes work in the church.
eOpen House 2023
Left to Right: Rev Liong Kwok Wai, Rev Dr Chan Chong Hiok, Dr Jeannette Shubert, Ms Anj Pantaleon, Mr Amos Chew. Photo: Jonathan Yao. Design: Blessed Ong.
The annual EAST eOpen House was held on 18 Feb 2023 as an opportunity for both local and international potential students to interact with students and faculty online and find out more in their area of interest.
At the opening plenary, Rev Dr Chan Chong Hiok (EAST President), Rev Liong Kwok Wai (Academics Dean), Dr Jeannette Shubert (Associate Academics Dean) together with two student MCs Anj Pantaleon (in MDiv Christian Ministry program) and Amos Chew (in MA Leadership program) interacted over the educational values and vision of EAST and its impact on the students. Dr Chan shared about EAST’s heart, head, hands, and the Holy Spirit as a holistic model of education. Dr Jeannette used a pair of chopsticks to illustrate the dual emphases of academic rigour and practical application as the desired integrated development of the whole person at EAST. See bottom for video of the plenary where the above were discussed and more. Read more
Inter-Collegiate Games 2023
After four years, the Inter Collegiate Games(ICG) 2023 resumed on the 3rd of March. Inter-collegiate games are sports competitions between different bible colleges or seminaries. These games can be a great opportunity for students to represent their school and showcase their abilities. The ICG comprises 5 competitive games and 1 indoor activity. Alongside these activities, there were snacks and ice cream provided by the host school, Singapore Bible College, for family, friends and alumni who came down to cheer and support their loved ones.
There was excitement when it was announced that ICG will be held this year! However, the excitement isn’t uniform. Some were excited because ICG is an event that unifies Singapore’s different seminaries, others were excited to be able to just play sports, and others were excited by the prospect of displaying their talents and getting the first prize and more. The motivations behind one’s excitement are an interesting insight because from those motivations we will be able to track one’s personal understanding of the purpose of the ICG.
Eat & Talk: What is True Love?
What is true love to YOU?
On the upcoming Valentine’s Day, join us for a lunch date of “Eat & Talk” session at EAST Chapel. Come by for a practical theological discussion time led by Rev Dr Lewis Winkler (an EAST Resident Faculty) on how we can love God and love people around us better. Loving God and people is the crux of living a healthy, wholesome Christian life, be it whether we are married or single.
Come on down and join in the lively discussion, and be inspired to be a better Valentine for God and for those around us!
- Date: 14 Feb 2023, Tuesday
- Time: 12.00 noon – 1.15 pm (Bring your own packet lunch)
- Venue: EAST Chapel, Level 3, @118 Joo Chiat Road, S(427407)
We hope to see you then!
CNY MG Outreach 2023
On 1 Feb 2023, the eleventh day of the Chinese New Year, five Mentoring Groups (MG) together with the Advancement and Academic staff went to the Joo Chiat neighbourhood with goodie bags of groceries and CNY greeting cards as a blessing for the community.
We had opportunities to interact with the residents and shop keepers in our neighbourhood. For our new international students, it was an eye-opening learning experience to be part of this outreach to connect with our neighbours this festive season. This has provided a bonding time to serve together as an MG. Read more
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