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.
Will You Simply Walk Away?
This article looks back on one hand, to the beginning of time at a “most horrible and depressing day” and on the other hand, to the fulfillment of God’s promises which is the good news. Written by Dr Mona Bias, a resident faculty in biblical studies at East Asia School of Theology, it is meant to make us contemplate our relationship with the living God during this Lent season.
The 40 days of Lent 2025 begins on 5 March, Ash Wednesday and ends on 17 April, Maundy Thursday. This is then followed by Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Resurrection Sunday. Traditionally, and during this season, Christians around the world commemorate the events leading up to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. As such it is a time for self-examination and spiritual inventory accompanied by prayer, fasting, repentance, and giving.
The Fulfillment of Ancient Promises – Tetélestai
Tetélestai is a Greek term from the word teleo, which can mean “to fulfill,” “to complete,” “to end.” In the context of John 19:30, tetélestai means “it is completed” or “it is paid in full.” What is completed or paid in full? Kindly read on to find the answer to this important question.
Alumnus: Ordination of Rev Asung Pharung Khapai
Rev Asung Pharung Khapai was ordained on 26th January 2025.
EAST rejoices with alumnus Rev Asung Pharung Khapai (MA Intercultural Studies, 2019) who was ordained by the Tangkhul Baptist Churches Association on 26 January 2025. Praise God for the affirmation of His call on Rev Asung as a minister of the gospel of the grace of God by the Tangkhul church leaders. Below is his faith journey as he recalls how the Lord has led him and his family all the way including through his studies at EAST.
I grew up in a farmer’s family in a small hill village of Manipur, Northeast India. My parents raised me in a Christian home with six siblings, but I was not serious in my Christian beliefs. I encountered Christ in the year 2000 through the study of the Gospel of John. I came to realise God’s unfailing love for me. Things were so different with new experiences and new journey of my life. I realised I was totally a new person in Christ. From the time I gave my life to Jesus, I started reading His Word, attending Bible studies and maintaining my quiet time regularly. With my earnest prayer and commitment, I enrolled in a Seminary for my theological education in my home country. I enjoyed learning God’s word, and getting to know Him more and more as I studied about Him.
True Blessings for Our New Life, Not Just the New Year
True Blessings for our New Life, not just the New Year:
On The Beatitudes or 《八福》 “Eight Blessings” of Matthew 5:3-11
There are so many subjective ideas of what blessings are.
Will this be a blessed year? It has started on an ominous note as the world reels from the threats of new tariffs every day. Some may attribute this shaky start to a snaky year.
If, however, we don’t believe in an almanac or a zodiac, for blessings, where and how are we to be endowed with them?
EAST Podcast: Managing Emotions – Father Heart of God
Managing Emotions – Discovering the Father Heart of God
This podcast episode on Managing Emotions featured Dr David Eckman, Founder of Becoming What God Intended Ministries and Dr Jarred Jung, EAST Resident Faculty in Systematic Theology. Eckman’s focus in this episode is on the theology of emotions and how to manage them in light of whom God as the Heavenly Father is to us.
“Recently I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. David Eckman, President of Becoming What God Intended Ministries. The topic of our interview was the importance of emotions to the humans. As a faculty in theology at EAST who teaches on the image of God, I found this conversation to be particularly interesting and important as I often find that emotions are seen as something to be avoided, or at least something thought of as less important to the individual. Sure we have them, but it is best to manage them by keeping them underneath the surface. While such a view of the emotions is valued in Confucian Asian societies, it is also regaining in some Western societies due to a resurgence in popularity of Stoicism. In this podcast interview, Dr. Eckman discusses how our emotions are indeed an important part of who we are, but also how we are created to enjoy God with our emotions and how God redeems our emotions with his fatherly love for us, even in cultures where emotions are seen as more of a negative. I hope you enjoy Dr. Eckman’s reflections on the Triune God, humanity, and emotions.” – Dr Jarred Jung
Please visit the podcast video on YouTube to directly view the chapters listed below.
EAST Library Catalogue
EAST Populi
National Library Board eResources
The Digital Theological Library
