New Student Ai Tam’s Faith-filled Journey to EAST
Ai Tam is second from the left.
How did the initial rejection by the immigration authorities to study in Singapore become a spiritual exercise of faith affirming God’s call for one’s life? Ms Do Thi Ai Tam, a Vietnamese new student with East Asia School of Theology (EAST) Master of Divinity (MDiv) program, shares of her eventful and faith-filled journey of His provisions coming to EAST.
Reflecting on the year 2025, I cannot stop giving thanks to the Lord for every milestone I have gone through. I have truly experienced His faithfulness in my academic journey to EAST and Singapore. Earlier on, I applied to join EAST as a program student and was duly accepted. I then applied to the Singapore immigration authorities for my Student’s Pass in April 2025. I had not expected any problem as I have a high level of confidence in my qualification and education. After submitting all the needed documents, however, my application was rejected. This left me greatly disappointed and confused. It also raised a question of whether God wanted me to pursue theological education at all.
New Student Ajay’s Formative Beginnings at EAST
How does one’s journey to apply for studies at East Asia School of Theology (EAST) and the initial immersion experience be truly formative? Mr Ajay Daram, a new EAST student from India studying Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies (MAICS), shares his missional journey to and recent experiences at EAST.
Coming to EAST to pursue the Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies (MAICS) has been a significant step in my journey of discerning God’s call to serve His mission in Asia. Over time, I became increasingly aware that effective Christian witness in today’s world requires more than passion alone; it requires deep theological grounding, cultural sensitivity, and spiritual formation. I sensed a need to be trained in a community that takes both the gospel and the Asian context seriously. EAST stood out as a place committed to forming servant-leaders for God’s mission, and this vision resonated deeply with my own sense of calling.
Alumna Mei-Mei Lee: Treasured Possession
The testimony below was first shared by alumna Mei-Mei Lee during Faculty Development Days 2025 as a devotional.
A father gave his young daughter a pearl necklace, and she adored it so much that she wore it every single day. Years later, when the girl was older, her father asked her, “Please give the necklace back to me.” And do you know what she said? “No.” She refused, saying, “This is my favorite. I love it.” Sometimes, we are just like that little girl with God. We cling so tightly to things we cherish—a ministry, a relationship, a position, or a dream—that we cannot let go. For me, that thing was my ministry.
Student’s Testimony: Field Supervisors’ Tea 2025
Field Education is an important aspect of theological education at EAST. Students practice what they have learnt in class through actual field ministry under the supervision of Field Supervisors from churches, mission agencies, and like-minded organisations. An annual Field Supervisors’ Tea was held recently at EAST to thank them and recount the impact of students’ field ministry. Below is a student’s testimony of his field ministry. Here is Fred’s story:
St. Andrew’s Cathedral is a very beautiful church in Singapore, located right beside City Hall MRT station. I have brought several friends there when they came to visit Singapore. They all liked this place very much and enjoyed taking photos there. During those visits, I also noticed many tourists taking photos. But after taking pictures, they just left. No one gave them any gospel tracts, and no one shared the gospel with them. When I saw that, my heart felt very burdened. I remembered the Bible says, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” I also thought of the saying, “If someone comes to a treasure mountain, how can they leave empty-handed?” They already came to the church, yet they did not hear the gospel. What a pity that is!
The Joy of Giving and Receiving
L: Ying Swant, R: Karin Clack
Discover the joy of giving and receiving through the stories told by a donor and a recipient of her generosity. Karin (an American donor and mentor) and Ying Swant (a Myanmar mentee and EAST program student) have a beautiful relationship which started before Ying Swant joined EAST. However, through her time at EAST, Ying Swant has blossomed and been transformed, and Karin can testify of how she has grown and developed as a labourer of Christ. As a donor, Karin sees much value in investing financially into Ying Swant’s life while she is being equipped at EAST. Ying Swant is deeply grateful for all the ministry partners who have supported her studies at EAST including Karin.
Karin’s Journey of Giving
EAST News posed some questions to Karin (in italics) and here are her responses.
How were you prompted to support her?
Karin: I’ve known Ying Swant since 2021. She has shared with me her dream of opening a school in her native town in Myanmar. Spending time with her, it has been evident her love for the Lord and her desire to see others come to know Him. She has overcome so many obstacles, I was determined if she was accepted at EAST, that I would support her.
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