EAST’s 31st Commencement: Honouring Legacy, Celebrating Vision
On 17 May 2025, East Asia School of Theology (EAST) will celebrate its 31st Commencement Ceremony at Bethesda (Bedok-Tampines) Church. This significant milestone will not only mark the graduation of 30 students from eight nations, but also the conferral of an honorary Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa) upon Rev Seung-Rock Yoon—a leader whose servant-hearted influence and missionary vision have deeply impacted EAST and the wider Body of Christ.
Celebrating a Vision Fulfilled
The journey of EAST’s Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program began not without challenge. Initial hesitation from senior leadership underscored the weight of launching such an endeavour. Yet, it was through the persistent vision and support of Rev Seung-Rock Yoon, then East Asia Orient Director of Korea Campus Crusade for Christ (KCCC), that the DMin program took root. His catalytic role—both in challenging the vision and in raising the resources necessary—enabled the launch of the inaugural cohort nearly five years ago.
Inter College Games 2025
On 7 March 2025, five seminaries came together for Inter College Games 2025 (ICG). It began with a time of worship at Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church before moving over to Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park for a series of friendly but still competitive events. These included sporting events like mass relay, captain’s ball, football, scavenger hunt (Bible quiz), Chinese chess and international chess, and board games like Unlock (table top version of Escape Rooms). This year, EAST snagged the top prizes for Captain’s Ball and Relay Team and cheered our hearts out. We are thankful for the EAST Student Council who organised the Games with the support of Student Councils from the other four participating seminaries: Baptist Theological Seminary (BTS), Discipleship Training Centre (DTC), Singapore Bible College (SBC), and Trinity Theological College (TTC).
Below are two student reflections from Tan Jing Fei who participated in the Captain’s Ball game and Pang Xin Xian, as a member of EAST Student Council, who helped to organise the games.
Myanmar-Indo Mission Trip Reflection
During the December break when many students take the opportunity to return to their homelands to visit family and friends, there were three North East Indian students Athem, Achui, and Themreiso who decided to spend some time ministering to Myanmar refugees at the Myanmar-Indo border to help meet physical needs and share the love of Jesus Christ with them. Below are reflections by Athem, a leader and organiser of the mission trip, and Themreiso as a team member.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve Myanmar refugees at the Indian border, who have fled war and poverty. Despite their circumstances, I saw them as individuals with dreams and aspirations, just like us. However, their situation has left them vulnerable physically and spiritually. During this trip, I witnessed God’s remarkable power in several ways. He provided for our financial needs, protected us amidst danger, and saw God supernaturally moved hearts in response to the good news of Jesus Christ. Praise God for those who accepted Christ as their Saviour which constitutes 90% of whom we ministered to.
November 2024 Intensive Class Reflections
During November 2024, two intensive classes were held at EAST – “Intercultural Communications” course by Dr Alvin Tey and “Exposition of Hebrews” course by Dr Gilbert Soo Hoo.
Below are two reflections by students who attended the “Intercultural Communications” class. The first reflection is by Mr Tan Jing Fei, a Singaporean final year Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies student whose undergraduate degree is in law. The second reflection is from another final year MA in Intercultural Studies student who hails from Mongolia. Ms Nurjanar Shampan or “Nuugii” as she is commonly known shares her insightful reflection on her culture.
Ruth Po Gay: New Student’s Testimony of Healing
L-R: Blessing (cousin), Joel (father), Ruth, Thablay Wah (mother), Naomi (sister)
Ruth Po Gay is a newly enrolled student of EAST who has officially started her Graduate Diploma in Christian Ministry on 3 January 2025 with an orientation at EAST. However, she has a powerful testimony of God’s workings in her life since she has arrived in Singapore last October. Her heartfelt sharing is below.
Over the past years, God has been molding and teaching me through the most challenging season of my life, where I even doubted my existence. While working full-time in 2023, I served in outreach programs in Kwin Baw Village, a predominantly Karen community in the Delta region of Ayeyarwaddy in Myanmar. During these mission trips, I simply helped among those sharing the gospel, teaching Bible lessons, and leading songs. This is when God placed a burden on my heart to serve by reaching out to children with limited access to education, sharing the gospel, and strengthening their faith. Although I have a passion for reaching lost souls, I struggled to submit to Him wholeheartedly and was confined in my own fear. I was so focused on myself and my plans, trying to fit God into them. While my heart was in the right place, my attitude was not.
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