Alex Tang’s Advent Reflections – Blessed Hope
Dr Alex Tang, an adjunct faculty of EAST, is a man who wears many hats as a Senior Consultant Paediatrician at Johor Specialist Hospital, Associate Professor of Monash University School of Medicine in Malaysia, a member of many professional bodies, Chairman of the Johor Branch of the Malaysian Paediatric Association, founder of Spiritual Formation Institute at Holy Light Church in Johor Bahru and an elder at that church. He has recently penned an Advent Reflection for the upcoming Advent Season below.
Advent is my favourite season of the year. As the year draws to a close with numerous moments of drama, joy, and pain, I look forward to December, my designated Sabbath month: time for reflection, contemplation, and prayers. This is also the season of Advent, which always reminds me of hope. The first advent culminated in the birth of God incarnate to a young girl, and hope became flesh.
Advent, originating from ‘adventus,’ the Latin term for ‘coming,’ is a multifaceted season in the Christian calendar that transcends the mere anticipation of Christmas. It is a sacred period of spiritual introspection, a time for us to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate the historical birth of Jesus Christ and contemplate His promised return. This dual nature of Advent imbues it with a depth and richness that is both reflective and forward-looking.
Prayer Pointers 16 November 2023
Are you worried and anxious about many things?
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you Matthew 6:33-ESV
You can trust God and His provision!
Study on Gender & Sexuality in Christian Ministry – Nov/Dec 2023 Intensive Course
Study on Gender & Sexuality in Christian Ministry (Online)
LF568, 3 Credits
22 November – 1 December (from Wednesday through the following Friday, excluding Saturday and Sunday)
9.00 am-5.00 pm
Designed to familiarize and challenge students with the questions and concepts in gender and sexuality studies and to examine them critically and biblically, based on the Bible, Christian, and sociological writings. The course will include historical, cultural factors, and trends in gender roles and behaviour within various social spheres and institutions. The outcome of the course is to prepare students to understand and minister effectively to a postmodern world with regards to gender and sexuality issues.
Total fees to audit each 3-credit class: Registration + Tuition = S$45 + S$210 = S$255.
Registration deadline is Tuesday, 14 November 2023.
Exposition of Matthew (Onsite) – Nov/Dec 2023 Intensive Course
Exposition of Matthew (Onsite Intensive Course)
NT530, 3 Credits
22 November – 1 December (from Wednesday through the following Friday, excluding Saturday and Sunday)
9.00 am-5.00 pm
The Book of Matthew was the most popular Gospel account in the early Church. It is loved for its emphasis on how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, the visit of the magi, the Sermon on the Mount, the invitation to the easy yoke, Peter’s walk on the water, the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, the guard at the tomb, the Great Commission, and many other unique passages. Matthew presents much of Jesus’ teaching in five great discourses, making his account a discipleship training manual for the Church.
Total fees to audit each 3-credit class: Registration + Tuition = S$45 + S$210 = S$255.
Registration deadline is Tuesday, 14 November 2023.
Let’s #GO
At EAST, students have the opportunities to go overseas for short term mission trips either as part of their Field Internships, Cross-Cultural Team Internships or even Mentoring Group Ministry Weekends. In all of these experiences, students come away with life-changing experiences and often in a team environment, they form lifelong friendships through the bonds fostered over the period of 3-4 weeks of living together and ministering daily together.
In the most recent Cross-Cultural Team Internship experience led by Taivan Tuya ( MA Leadership) from Mongolia in June, the team consisted of Mikeel Arana (MDiv Christian Ministry, Philippines), Jane Ding (MDiv Teaching & Exposition, East Asia), Worchuirin Horam (MA Leadership, India) and Chakriya Sok (MA Christian Ministry) as they spent 19 days together in three different parts of Vietnam – a city area, by the mountainside and by the seaside reaching out to the people there and sharing the good news whenever the opportunities arise.
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