Ruth Hmway: Christmas Carolling Reflections
Below is Ruth Hmway’s reflections on her recent carolling experience during the school break. Ruth is currently enrolled in Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies at EAST and she is from Myanmar.
This Christmas season, I had the privilege of joining my fellow students from East Asia School of Theology (EAST), Singapore, for a meaningful caroling outreach. Our team was beautifully multi-ethnic: eight of us from Myanmar, and friends from China, India, Bhutan, Cambodia, and the Philippines. Though we came from different nations, languages, and stories, we shared one heart, to proclaim the love and hope of Christ through music.
Desmond Teo: Reflection on Faculty Development Days
Faculty in training Desmond Teo shares his reflection on the Faculty Development Days which happened at the end of last semester.
More than 30 EAST resident and adjunct faculty members gathered for a time of development and strategic planning from Nov 12-14th. On the first morning, newly minted Dr Josephine Goh distilled key insights from her dissertation titled “Making Room for Formation: A Hospitable Space in Mentoring Groups”. Based on fieldwork done amongst mentoring groups at EAST over the past several years, she mapped out the various dimensions that contribute to a transformative mentoring environment in an Asian seminary. Affirming strengths that the research surfaced about the mentoring culture at EAST, she led faculty members in giving thanks to God and encouraged them to press on in these areas. She also facilitated times of reflection and discussion on ways that EAST can strengthen the mentoring system at EAST, so that future cohorts of students can continue to experience deep transformation as they pursue theological education at EAST.
June Chan: Unfiltered Prayer—A Path to Intimacy with God
During the recent Faculty Development Days, EAST Adjunct Faculty, June Chan shared a devotional message entitled, “Unfiltered Prayer—A Path to Intimacy with God.” It is a powerful call to honesty and intimacy in our prayer and walk with the Heavenly Father. We invite you to imbibe of it below, if you dare!
A friend once asked me, “When was the last time you shouted at God?” I was taken aback by his question. I replied, “I’ve never shouted at God.” At the time, I was going through a difficult period. I’d whined, I complained, I pleaded, I probably cajoled, but no, I had never let myself shout at God.
EAST Thanksgiving 2025
A glimpse of 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.
Student Themreiso: So Much More Than Assignments
Below is a reflection by second year student Themreiso Awungshi (MA in Biblical Studies) from Manipur, India, from what he had gleaned from his time at EAST.
The last month has been deeply humbling and faith-strengthening for me. I have seen spiritual leaders around me live out their faith with love, concern, and passion for God’s work and their lives have inspired me to walk more closely with God.
On the first day of class, I saw our professor, Dr Roland Tan—a loving, caring teacher and experienced leader—cleaning the ground with a water hose. His humble act of service demonstrated true servant leadership. I was deeply moved and inspired to become like him. It reminded me of Jesus’ words: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26, NIV).
Dr Roland cleaning the ground with a water hose.
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