Harvest Force 2016 issue 2

2016 ISSUE

02

NEW

EVERY MORNING ~ MMS is 25! ~

New! New! New! MMS is 25!

THEY ARE NEW EVERY MORNING. GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS. ~ Lamentations 3:23, NKJV

We want to give thanks to God and proclaim His greatness. We want to tell the nations what He has done. We want to tell the wonderful things He has done!

Indeed, the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

This year is an exciting year for MMS. We get to witness a few NEW things happening in MMS. Our organisation is like a little child who cannot wait to open up all his birthday presents.

As you can see, we have a NEW Harvest Force design. After conducting some surveys, we have seriously taken into consideration some of your good suggestions and feedback. We hope you will enjoy the revamped layout and continue to give us your support. We would also love to keep hearing from you so that we can keep on improving.

MMS has a NEW logo too. We dare not say that the process of getting the design to be agreed upon has been an easy one. The design has evolved at every level of approval. Thank you, Angeline, for your patience and understanding. Read more about the new logo on page 10.

Next in line, MMS has our NEW Vision and Mission statements, and revised our Strategy and Core Values. View them on the back cover, and see if you can spot the revisions. On page 11, our MMS Chairman also shares a little on our new Vision and Mission.

Our MMS Executive Director is very grateful for the people involved in MMS – Missionaries, Home Staff, National Workers, and Supporters. Everyone plays an important part and gives to the Lord readily. Read about it on page 2.

Happy and blessed birthday, MMS! May we excel in all that we are doing – for another 25 years! To do so, we covet your continued prayer and support. Thank you.

Leongheng • Editor

Do you have anything to share?

Email mms@methodist.og.sg Your article may be edited for length, style and clarity.

CONTENTS

02

FIRST WORD • Thank you for giving to the Lord

04 Methodist Missions Society (MMS) is the mission agency of The Methodist Church in Singapore. In 1997, MMS was given the mandate to establish indigenous churches supported by mission endeavours in communities across this region where there is no Methodist presence. Harvest Force is published three times annually and distributed free. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. All information published is correct at time of writing and may subject to change.

PERMIT NUMBER MCI(P) 018/11/2015

ADVISOR Rev Philip Lim EDITOR Leongheng PROOFREADER Wendy Tan

2016 ISSUE

02

WAZZUP! • Mission Trips • Opportunites to Serve • MMS Banquet 2017

06

FEATURE STORY • Celebrating a 25-year mission of love • Introducing MMS new logo

11

FACE TO FACE • Up Close and Personal with MMS Chairman

13

FIELD FEATURES CAMBODIA • Cambodia’s Glory Trinity MC breaks ground for new building

CHINESE PROOFREADER Goh Tuan Gee

NEPAL • Reflections of a Medical Mission Trip • Hearing His voice

TRANSLATORS Kawai Loh, Licia Yeo, Ng Hsu-Fen, Thng Pheng Soon PHOTO CREDITS Andrew Peh, Chou Fang Soong, David Khew, Eunice Lau, Grace Toh, Jessie Chan, Kelvin Tan, KP Adhikari, Lyndon Gan, Sarita Pandey, Vanessa Ho, Mission teams from CCMC, TRAC WSCS and TRACkers

THAILAND • Three milestones at 11th Thai Annual Meeting

DISTRIBUTION & SUPPORT Eileen Lim, Helen Tan, Nancy Tay & Volunteers

TIMOR-LESTE • Sundermeier Home • TRACkers: Conveying hope in God

DESIGNER SNAP! Creative Pte Ltd PRINTER Print & Print Pte Ltd PUBLISHER Rev Philip Lim 70 Barker Road #06-01, The Methodist Centre Singapore 309936 Tel: 6478 4818 • Fax: 6478 4817

MMS IS SOCIAL! Connect with us and never miss an update mms@methodist.org.sg

www.mms.org.sg

mms.org.sg

mms.gram

VIETNAM • TRAC-WSCS on track to Vietnam

31

HOME IN ON...

• MMS Family • MITE Participants • MMS Office

33

HF SPECIAL • Current Trends in Mission – Urban and Diaspora

Missions (Part 2)

35

CLOSING THOTS • The Lasting Fruit of Missions

02

HARVESTFORCE 2016 • 2

Thank you for GIVING TO THE LORD O

Rev Philip Lim 林建隆 牧师 is the Executive Director of MMS. 卫宣执行主任 His favourite bible story is Jonah.

It has two twists: Jonah did not die after being thrown overboard but was swallowed by a great fish.

And judgement on Nineveh was postponed for 150 years because they repented.

WHETHER IT IS THEIR TIME, TALENT OR GIFTS, THEY GAVE TO THE LORD READILY.

n the occasion of MMS 25th Anniversary celebrations, I thank God for three groups of people.

with corporate discipline, they are dedicated to support the mission fields with their skills and expertise.

OUR MISSIONARIES AND HOME STAFF

NEW GENERATION OF NATIONAL WORKERS

As with all organisations, people are our greatest resource.

With 38 missionaries serving in seven countries, that is a lot of potential! A few of our missionaries have been with this organisation since its inception.

Their experiences gained from many years in the field and with MMS, serve as good guidance for those who have joined us recently.

Our missionaries go into the field armed with an integrated strategy of church planting and community development. In their ministries, one quality stands out – resilience. As missionaries they faced multiple challenges in their field of work. It was resilience that has enabled them to tackle and endure setbacks and difficult situations. And after they bounced back, they gained a fresh level of faith in God. Paul said, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9, NIV).

Our Home Staff, too, display one quality that I appreciate a lot – dedication. Before joining MMS, they held high positions in their former professions.

We have experienced pastors, senior SAF officers, directors of MNCs, architectural associate and accountants. Equipped

An important aspect of our ministry is our missionaries working alongside our national workers. They take the commission to make disciples very seriously by helping the national people to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith.

(Colossians 2:7, NIV). As the field ministries grow and blossom, the national people are taking on greater responsibilities and ownership. An example is the earthquake that struck Nepal last year. The national leaders led the rebuilding efforts. We thank God for them!

But there is another group of national workers that will play an increasingly prominent role in our mission fields. They are those who had earlier stayed with us in our centres and undergone our residential discipleship programmes, and are now grown up. After leaving our centres, they had gone on to university and gained working experience.

More than merely giving back, they are serving in ministry alongside our missionaries. They display great passion to reach out to their own people and they are flourishing. New missionaries would do well to work with them for they are an asset.

This new generation of national workers are young, educated, and full of fervour

FIRSTWORD 03

感恩有你 for the Lord. Fang Soong, our MMS Chairman, once told us, when he got involved with MMS in the early years, the mission was to raise the next generation.

These people are the fruits of persevering discipleship. I thank God for these young national people.

OUR FAITHFUL SUPPORTERS

As MMS grows, our pool of volunteers and supporters grows together with it. These people play different roles. They visit the field to conduct medical camps in rural villagers, provide on-site supervision for building projects, mentor pastors and lay leaders, and others. For those who remain in Singapore, their work is no less important. They could be packing the Harvest Force for postage, translating and proofreading articles, manning the registration table for events, contributing funds for the work, establishing written policies, interviewing missionary candidates, and many more. All these go into the entire work of Missions.

I love watching these people in action because I am inspired by their willingness. Whether it is their time, talent or gifts, they gave to the Lord readily. I thank God that they play their part in missions by giving up their own comfort and convenience. I thank God for them and pray for them to be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. (2 Chronicles 15:7, NIV) To God Be the Glory!

在

卫理宣教会庆祝25周年之 际，我要感谢上帝为我们带来 三组同工。

宣教士团队与卫宣办公室同工团队 正如一般的组织与单位，同工与伙 伴是我们最大的人力资源。我们共 有38位宣教士，分别在7个国家服 事，这是一股很大的潜力！其中几位 宣教士打从卫宣创设之初就与我们 同工同服事。他们以多年来在卫宣 的服事以及宣教工场所吸取的经验 提点、引导着新近加入的同工们。 我们的宣教士带着为教会播种、 植堂，以及为社区服务的综合策略 到工场去。他们都有一个共同的特 质—坚韧不拔的精神 。宣教成员在 执行任务时挑战重重，坚韧不拔的 精神让他们能够承受挫折和渡过难 关。当他们重新站起来时，他们对上 帝的信靠又提升到新的层次。 保罗说： “我们四面受敌，却不 被困住。心里作难，却不至失望。遭 逼迫，却不被丢弃。打倒了，却不至 死亡。” （哥林多后书4:8-9） 我也非常欣赏办公室同工们的一 个共同特质 — 奉献精神。他们在加 入卫宣之前都担任要职。我们当中 有经验丰富的牧师、高级军官、跨国 企业董事、建筑师以及会计师等。他 们奉献他们的技能、知识和企业经 验，以支援种种宣教活动。 新一代的当地宣教同工 宣教同工能够和当地同工良好配 搭，这在宣教工作上是很重要的。他 们在教导信徒做主门徒的任务上认 真严肃，帮助他们在祂里面生根建 造，信心坚固 （哥罗西书2:7）。在 当地事工开花结果时，当地人便负 起较大的责任和拥有权。比如去年 尼泊尔发生地震后，当地同工便主 导重建工作。对于他们的真诚付出， 我们得感谢上帝！ 还有另一组当地同工将在各工 场上扮演日益显著的角色。一批曾

经在我们的中心住宿，并受过门徒 装备的孩子们，如今已长大成人。 离开中心后，他们上大学、工作，吸 取经验。他们不单饮水思源，给我 们回馈，他们更与我们的宣教士一 道参与服事。他们满腔热忱地向同 胞传佳音，成绩斐然。新加入工场 的宣教士与他们同工共事肯定会获 益良多。 新一代的当地同工都很年轻，受 过教育，并且对主耶稣充满热忱。卫 宣主席周方宋说，多年前初步参与 卫宣时，当时的任务是栽培下一代。 这批年轻人就是我们多年来坚持门 徒栽培的成果。感谢上帝！ 我们的忠实支持者 随着卫宣的成长，我们的义工和支 持者的队伍也日益壮大。他们各自 扮演不同的角色，有的到乡村实地执 行医疗任务，有的提供建筑工程的 实地监督工作，也有牧师和信徒领 袖提供辅导等等。新加坡办公室义 工的贡献也不可轻忽。他们为本刊 进行邮寄包装、为文章进行翻译和 校对，或在卫宣活动现场提供登记 服务，奉献金钱，确认有关政策以及 为申请当宣教士者进行面试等等。 这一切都是宣教工作的一部份。 我喜欢看到义工、同工们积极工 作的样子，因为他们心甘情愿 的态 度让我受到启发。无论是时间、才能 或金钱，他们都愿意预备奉献于主。 他们为宣教而放弃自己舒适的生 活，我感谢上帝并为他们祈祷：现在 你们要刚强，不要手软，因你们所行 的必得赏赐。 （历代志下15:7） 荣耀归于至高之处的上帝!

04

HARVESTFORCE 2016 • 2

Mission Trips If you are interested to organise, or simply to find out more, please email to the respective persons at these email addresses: Cambodia jeremy.choo@methodist.org.sg East Asia koheng.quek@methodist.org.sg Laos

david.khew@methodist.org.sg

Nepal noel.tam@methodist.org.sg Thailand david.khew@methodist.org.sg Timor-Leste

teresa.wilborn@gmail.com

Vietnam dianna.khoo@methodist.org.sg

Opportunities to Serve

IN THE FIELD The fields are ready for harvesting – but there are so few labourers. In all seven countries that MMS has chosen, our missionaries in the field are asking for assistance.

Our first request is for more fulltime missionaries to join them! They are asking the Lord to send pastors, church planters, administrators and English language teachers.

Our second request is for short term workers who are willing to spend between two weeks to six months at their own expense helping one of our missionaries.

Our last but important request is to raise passionate prayer partners to be part of our prayer team.

What to do if you sense the LORD calling you into His mission field:

For more information about all these opportunities, kindly email mms@methodist.org.sg. Be in prayer with us as we seek God’s direction to challenge and mobilise our Methodist community to serve with MMS.

1. Tell your pastor and ask him/her to help examine your

calling to missions.

2. If your church pastor and leaders affirm your calling

and are prepared to provide full financial support – praise the Lord! Call MMS straight away.

3. If your church pastor and leaders affirm your calling

but are unable to provide full financial support for you – call MMS anyway! Some of our missionaries are supported by the combined efforts of multiple Methodist Churches and Agencies.

WAZZUP! 05

Cambodia

• Volunteers to teach English for three months, six months or one year, and work alongside the Khmer English teachers in the Methodist School of Cambodia (Phnom Penh).

• Volunteers to teach Chinese for six months in Emmaus Women’s Centre.

• Volunteers to teach basic canteen-food cooking skills and food hygiene in COSEL (Community Outreach Services ECO-LODGE)

• Experienced volunteer English teachers to help at our language centre INSPIRE. • Anyone whom the Lord is leading to be involved long term in this work of the language centre and the kindergarten and primary school.

Sundermeier Home, and support curriculum development for future Methodist School in Dili.

Vietnam

• Mission teams to visit the Sunlight Shelter and Sunrise Shelter.

Nepal

AT HOME

• Church leaders and trainers to train and equip National Workers on church planting and discipleship training in Jiangsu, Jiangxi and Fujian Provinces.

• Local churches to partner and support newly established preaching points.

• A missionary pastor to serve as teaching staff at Caleb Bible Institute in East Nepal and equipping ministry for National leaders and workers.

• Full time missionaries to support the church planting and community development work and assist in administration and finance matters in the field office.

• Ministry staff to serve as spiritual counsellors and mentors for Sophia’s Home on short field assignments.

You can also come alongside as Mission Partners and Volunteers (MPV) at home to encourage and empower God’s work and workers to incarnate the love of Jesus Christ to make a difference in the mission fields.

Laos

Thailand

Office Assistance

• Christian worker who would like to come and serve for a term of three to six months but with a view to serving longer to befriend and counsel parents, offer spiritual guidance to children and provide pastoral care for staff.

• Kindergarten and Primary school teachers familiar with the Singapore curriculum to come serve for a term to begin with.

• Teachers to teach English, Chinese, Mathematics and Science at Vineyard Methodist School and public schools.

• Local Churches to partner projects at new Preaching Points, and support new MOT candidates.

• Medical teams to visit rural areas.

• Be our MMS Event Coordinator.

East Asia

Timor-Leste

• English and Mathematics teachers to teach in the

MMS is planning for our next Banquet on 27 August 2017 at The Fullerton Hotel. Please pray with us as we plan and organise to raise funds for our work and ministry in the mission fields. Indeed, this is “My Father’s Business” as usual.

Communications & Publications

• Be an English-Chinese translator.

• Be a photographer.

• Be a graphic designer.

• Be a web designer.

Mission-Trip Coordinator

• Be a Mission-Trip Coordinator to assist in briefing and debriefing the mission teams to achieve optimal preparation, mission fulfilment and benefits.

Financial Assistance

• Be a sponsor through the Student Sponsorship Schemes. Please refer to page 29.

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HARVESTFORCE 2016 • 2

Celebrating a 25-YEAR MISSION OF LOVE “M

Grace Toh 杜慧恩 is the Assistant Editor of Methodist Message and a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church. She loves spending time with family, friends, and at the beach.

AS BELIEVERS IN CHRIST IN THE WESLEYAN TRADITION, WE ARE CALLED TO REGARD ‘THE WORLD AS OUR PARISH’...

1

The Book of Discipline of The Methodist Church in Singapore, Para 371.1.

2

Appendix 3 to the MMS report under the Council of Missions, at the 5th Session General Conference of The Methodist Church in Singapore, 1992.

3

Drawn from the late Rev Dr Clarence Lim’s Director’s Message in the November 2005 issue of Harvest Force.

issionary zeal does not grow out of intellectual beliefs, nor out of theological arguments, but out of love,” noted Roland Allen, a British missionary in the 20th century. For the past 25 years, it is this love that has driven and continues to drive the work of the Methodist Missions Society (MMS) of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS).

“The mission mandate that we endeared in the Methodist Missions Society originated in the heart of God,” wrote the late Rev Dr Clarence Lim, Founding Director of MMS, in the June 2005 issue of Harvest Force. He added: “[God’s] heart for the nations is clearly enunciated in numerous Scriptures.”

Missionary zeal was also a hallmark of John Wesley’s ministry after his heart-warming revival experience at Aldersgate. The late Rev Dr Lim continued in his message: “Convinced that people needed Christ, [John Wesley] went beyond the confines of the homes and churches of his day by preaching to the ‘down and out’ – the unreached and neglected people.

“As believers in Christ in the Wesleyan tradition, we are called to regard the ‘world as our parish’ as we invest our lives for the redemption of the world by affirming God’s mandate for our mission.”

The primary mission of MMS is to establish indigenous churches where none currently exist1, in line with the Apostle Paul’s ambition to “preach the gospel where Christ was not known” (Romans 15:20).

MMS’ first five fields were Cambodia, East Asia, Thailand, Vietnam and Nepal, with Timor-Leste and Laos being added later. These countries had no Methodist presence at the time when MMS began ministries there.

In achieving its mission, MMS works closely with and supports the efforts of local Methodist churches. Indeed, its founding Constitution states that “The object of the Society shall be to initiate, encourage and develop missions awareness and involvement in the local churches by participating, wherever possible, in their missions programmes and projects.”2 It is therefore fitting that among the celebratory events for its 25th anniversary, MMS seeks to equip the local churches in their mission efforts through “Catching The Urban Wave”, a missions conference to be held on 20 August 2016 at Trinity Theological College.

Speakers include Mr Joseph Chean, National Director of Youth With Mission, and the Rev Dr Gordon Wong, President of Trinity Annual Conference.

Other 25th anniversary initiatives include a Thanksgiving Service on 19 August 2016 – where a new logo is slated to be launched – and the refreshing of MMS’ vision, mission and core values.

As the first home-grown, denomination-based, missionarysending agency in Singapore, MMS is clearly not resting on its laurels

FEATURESTORY 07

Pray for MMS For open doors and more opportunities for our mission work to be carried out in the different fields. Pray also for MMS to stay focused, faithful and fruitful in fulfilling God’s mandate for missions.

Go on a mission trip with your

local church

The timeless message of the redeeming work of the Risen Christ must be proclaimed and God is counting on us to be part of His harvest force. During the trip, allow God to grow the burden and vision within you.

• 1975 – The MCS launches Mission Endowment Fund at its 90th anniversary • 1989 – Study Committee on Missions Agency and Policy set up • 1991 – MMS officially inaugurated, becomes full agency of the MCS • 2016 – MMS celebrates its 25th anniversary

08

HARVESTFORCE 2016 • 2

欢庆 延续 25年爱的使命 – and neither are the churches it has planted.

Wesley Bardan Methodist Church (WBMC) in Nepal, for instance, has recently established two new preaching points in Farsidole (Lalitpur District) and Haldey (Kavre District).

WBMC has planted four churches and preaching points in the past 14 years – with a multiplier effect as one of the churches, Phulbari Methodist Church, has gone on to start its own preaching points.

To continue in its commitment to “make and multiply disciples in every nation, tribe, people and language”, MMS needs your help and support. In this 25th anniversary year for MMS, how will you answer the following questions?3

NOT BUT

“Will I pray?” “How much have I prayed?”

“Will I give?” “How am I strategising to give more?”

“Am I willing to go?” “Where am I now

investing my life for the redemption and transformation of the world, God’s world?”

Editor’s note: This article was first published in Methodist Message May 2016 issue.

20

世纪的英国宣教士罗伦亚伦指出： “宣教的热忱并非 来自知识上的信仰，也非来自神学上的论证，而是发 自内心的爱。”25年来这样的爱即不断推动着新加坡卫理 公会属下卫理宣教会（卫宣）的事工。 “卫宣所尊崇的宣教使命乃源自上帝的心意”卫宣已故 創办人林金成牧师于2005 年 6月份的 “丰禾期刊”中如此 写道 ，他进一步指出： “上帝爱万民的心清清楚楚地阐明在 他许许多多的话语中。” 约翰卫斯理当年在雅德门所经历的心灵的温暖与复兴 也成为了他随后踏上宣教之路的印记。已故林金成牧师继 续写道： “抱着万民需要基督的信念，跨出家门跨出教堂的 四堵墙，走进广大底层、没有听过上帝的福音、被忽略的群 众当中。 作为拥有卫理宗传统的信徒，我们是蒙召去认定“世界 是我的牧区”，并肯定上帝所托付的宣教使命，进而献身于 救赎万民的任务中。 卫宣的首要任务是在没有卫理教会的宣教工场中建立 本土教会，以追随使徒保罗的志向 : “我立了志向不在基 督的名被称过的地方传福音” （罗马书15:20）。卫宣首5个 工场是柬埔寨、东亚、泰国、越南以及尼泊尔，接着是东帝 汶及寮国。先前這几个国家还未有卫理宗的教会。 为了践行、成就卫宣的使命，我们自开创以来即与本 地卫理公会属下众堂会紧密配搭、相互支援。根据创会宣 言： “卫宣的宗旨乃在各堂会中发动、鼓励、宣扬宣教意识， 并参于堂会的宣教事工与活动项目”。 在25 周年会庆系列活动当中，我们适时在8月 20日 (星 期六)假三一神学院推出“捕追城市浪潮”宣教大会，旨在 装备各堂会发展宣教事工。两位讲员分别为青年使命团全 国理事长钱进伦先生，以及三一年议会会长黄昌荣（牧师） 博士。 其它庆典活动包括8 月19日（星期五）的“感恩崇拜”， 同时也将推出卫宣新标志，并进行“卫宣故事”新书发布仪 式。此外会上也将再次阐述卫宣的异象、使命与核心理念。 作为首个本土的、建基于宗派信念的宣教差遣机构，卫 宣决不安于目前的桂冠——已经生根成长的教会也不例 外。以尼泊尔为例，卫斯理巴单卫理公会近期设立了两个 新聚会点，一个在花市都（拉力埠区），另一个在哈德尔 (位 于卡非区)。过去的14年里，巴单卫理公会共栽植了4间堂会 与聚会点，正如大树枝繁叶茂那样。而谱巴里卫理公会也 已开花结果，自行栽植了它的几个聚会点。 为了持续践行我们的承诺——“你们要去使万民作我的 门徒” （太28:19） “ …是从各国、各族、各民、各方来的” （启7：9）卫宣需要您的帮助与支持。

9 FEATURESTORY 09

New Wesley Bardan Methodist Church building

Old Wesley building

Worshippers at old Wesley Methodist Church building

Worshippers at new Wesley Bardan Methodist Church building

Phulbari Church

10

HARVESTFORCE 2016 • 2

Introducing MMS NEW LOGO MMS

has a brand new logo as part of our 25th Anniversary celebration! The previous MMS logo was designed in 1997. It is time for a refreshing and modern logo as MMS moves forward.

The design is a symbol of an Ichthys (commonly known as the Jesus fish) formed by two arcs, with one end of the arcs joined up against each other and the other end extending beyond their point of intersection so as to resemble the profile of a fish. It was used by the early Christians as a secret Christian symbol. The early Ichthys symbol was created by combining the Greek letters ΙΧΘΥΣ (Ichthys), which translates into English as “Jesus Christ, God, Son, Saviour”.

This simple, modern and stylistic design of an Ichthys and a cross reminds us of Jesus’ commission to His disciples with the words, “I will make you fishers of men”. It is a simple message that Jesus Christ is the Saviour.

The cross in the centre of the logo denotes Jesus Christ as the centre of our ministry. It is in blue (Pantone 2736; CMKY 82,78,0,0).

The font “Gotham” is used for a modern look and feel. The word “missions” is in red (Pantone Warm Red C; CMYK 0,87,80,0) to emphasise our mandate. Blue and red are the colours of The Methodist Church in Singapore. The rest of the design is in black.

MMS is very grateful to Angeline Tan of Pentecost Methodist Church for the design.

DID YOU KNOW?

The first MMS logo was designed by Mr Thomas Ling who is currently running his own graphic business. The logo was launched in 1997. Meeting over lunch with MMS, Thomas revealed that he was invited by the late Rev Dr Clarence Lim to design a logo for MMS stationery. He explained that the three lines in the logo represented the forward movement of MMS leading to the cross. The cross in the centre of the logo signified Jesus Christ. These three lines were also formed by the letters M, M, and S - the acronym of Methodist Missions Society. As MMS was deemed to serve the three General Conferences, three languages were used in the logo. We are appreciative of Thomas whose meaningful design has been used by MMS over all these years.

FACETOFACE 11

UP CLOSE and PERSONAL

with MMS Chairman HF: WHAT KIND OF CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE AS MMS CHAIRMAN?

Chou Fang Soong 周方松 has been Chairman of MMS since 2009. He is very forward thinking, and do you know that he was knighted Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite in 2005? It is the National Order of Merit, which is an Order of State with membership, awarded by the President of the French Republic. • 自2009年以来周方松即开始 担任卫宣主席。他的思维颇具前瞻性，或许很多人 不知道，２００５年，他还获得法国总统颁发的优异 国家骑士勋章呢！

We have been blessed by generous donors and supporters over the years such that fund-raising has become less of a concern. The real challenge is the finding and placement of staff, volunteers and missionaries with the appropriate skills and leadership qualities, to effectively meet the increasingly demanding roles in our mission fields. With new governance requirements, meeting field requests and compliance is becoming operationally more challenging.

HF: HOW DO YOU RECHARGE?

A recharge is a daily need for me. I find it helpful to begin my mornings with a cardio work-out before my personal devotional and prayer time to quieten down my spirit and be still, for whatever is ahead for the day.

HF: WHAT IS ONE THING OUR READERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MMS?

HF: TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF.

I

worship at Bedok Methodist Church. My first contact with MMS was through the late Rev Dr Clarence Lim. It has been a fulfilling journey of faith for me; from being involved in sending our first two missionaries with MMS in 1997 to the privilege of serving with MMS for over 16 years.

MMS is the mission arm of the Methodist Church in Singapore that is set up to serve and support our Methodist Community to fulfil Jesus’ Great Commission. As we share a common Methodist network, practice, tradition and heritage, we believe MMS can become the preferred partner to strengthen and accelerate the work of missions for our community.

HF: WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU?

My typical day starts in the morning with a physical work-out, personal devotional and prayer time before setting off to work. Some days include catching up on my volunteer commitments at MMS, BGST, Church or School Board, either over lunch, evening or weekends, and setting aside time for my family.

HF: WHAT IS MMS NEW VISION AND MISSION?

“MMS is a disciple-making movement that transforms lives” - Our new Vision encapsulates our desire to move from mere church planting to a disciple-making movement that transforms lives across the communities in which we have a presence.

“MMS is to mobilise our Methodist Community in Singapore to establish

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与卫宣主席 一席谈 disciple-making and multiplying indigenous churches.” - This mission statement emphasises our unique role in mobilising our Methodist community both as individuals and as partner churches to be involved in this disciple-making movement in all our mission fields.

主编：您从什么时候开始参与卫宣的服事？ 在勿洛卫理公会崇拜。我与卫宣的初步接触始于1997年与已故林金 成牧师的联系，教会通过卫宣差派两位宣教士到柬埔寨。一直到我投 入卫宣服事的这16年来，上帝在我身上成就了我的信心之旅。

HF: WHAT CAN OUR READERS DO TO BE INVOLVED?

主编：作为卫宣的主席，你面对着什么样的挑战？ 这些年来因为有很多慷慨解囊的捐献者和支持者，筹款方面还不是主要的 关注点。眼下主要的挑战是如何物色具有恰当能力与领袖素质的同工、义工 以及宣教士，以便有效地回应宣教工场上各个岗位日益加剧的需求。面对着 宣教工场上有关政府所颁布的新条例，一方面必须回应工场的需要，另一方 面又必须遵从条例，这也加剧了运作的挑战。

As MMS work is broad-based covering Church planting, Community Development, Education and Business as Missions, we provide a variety of opportunities for both individuals as well as churches to serve in partnership with us both in Singapore and in our mission fields.

HF: WHAT IS YOUR WISH FOR MMS AS WE CELEBRATE OUR 25 YEARS AND GO BEYOND?

My wish and prayer is that MMS can play the pivotal role of bringing our Methodist Community together in unity and passion, and to see the acceleration of disciple-making movements that will impact and transform lives in as many communities in which we have the privilege to serve now and in the future. My hope is to see every Methodist involved in MMS in one way or another as we head towards our Jubilee year.

我

主编：可否请您说一说您平时的作息？ 我通常起床后做运动、灵修和祷告，然后去上班。一些时候在午餐时间、晚 上或周末时间参与卫宣、BGST、教会或学校董事会的义务工作。我也会抽 时间陪伴家人。

主编：您如何在忙碌的生活中给自己“充电”呢？ 对我来说充电是个每天必做的事。我每天早上运动之后进行灵修和祷告， 让我的心灵平静安稳，帮助我面对一天的挑战。 主编：我们的读者对卫宣当认识的一件事是什么? 卫宣是新加坡卫理公会伸入前线工场的宣教膀臂，其目标乃在服事、支援 卫理公会，践行耶稣的大使命。卫理公会拥有共同的支援网络、行事方式、 传统乃至遗产，我们深信“卫理宣教会”必定能成为社体的最佳配搭伙伴， 一道携手加强、加快推展宣教事工。 主编：卫宣的新愿景与新使命是什么？ “卫宣旨在推展一个塑造门徒，改变生命的运动”。我们的崭新愿景可作如 此归纳：由单一的植堂概念转移至塑造主门徒，在所服事的工场推展改变 生命的运动。 “卫宣的策略是发动新加坡卫理公会各堂会，建立能塑造门 徒，倍增的本土教会。”，此使命宣言突出了我们所独有的角色——发动卫 理公会整体社群，不论是个体层面或伙伴教会到各宣教工场一道参与塑造 主门徒的运动。 主编：我们的读者可以参与哪些卫宣的事工？ 卫宣的事工延伸至各层面，涵盖植立教会、社区发展、教育乃至商场宣教。 我们为教会及 个别肢体在本地及宣教工场提供了多方面与卫宣配搭的机 会。 主编：值此欢庆卫宣25周年之际，您对卫宣有什么祝愿与展望？ 我祝愿卫宣不仅在现在，且也在不久的将来，在卫理社体中扮演主轴的角 色，领导卫理社体 同心合一，激发宣教热忱，促进门徒塑造运动的开展，从 而在社区中影响更多生命的改变。我期待当我们庆祝金禧年的时候，能够看 到每个卫理宗的会友都在不同层面上参与卫宣的事工。

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CAMBODIA

Kelvin Tan is the Missions Chairman at Trinity Methodist Church. He is a Joie de Vivre Traveller, Adventurer, and Outdoorsman.

Cambodia’s GLORY TRINITY MC BREAKS GROUND for new building T

he association that Trinity Methodist Church (TMC) has with Cambodia began in 1994 when our members covenanted among ourselves and with our Lord to adopt the Khmer people of Cambodia as an unreached people group, and to become His instruments to evangelise and establish the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ there.

Soon after, we adopted a local church situated in the township of Takhmao and the birth of Takhmao Trinity Methodist Church was celebrated. A piece of property was acquired and in 1999, a one-

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storey church building was constructed.

It was a simple wooden structure built on stilts over a pond, where fish was intended to be cultivated for self-sustenance.In 2003, heavy rain caused a soil erosion that led to the structure of the building’s foundation being compromised. The building tilted and was declared unsafe for use. The members moved into rented premises and have been moving from property to property ever since.

Church membership dwindled and the original property lay unused.

In 2012, the church dropped the name ‘Takhmao’, which had become associated with a local deity, changing its name to Glory Trinity Methodist Church (GTMC).

Recently, the leadership of GTMC prayed and expressed their sincere desire to return to the original plot of land.

In partnership with GTMC, the leadership of TMC prayed alongside them and decided to support their wish to re-establish themselves at the original site.

On Saturday 16 January 2016, a Ground Breaking Ceremony and Service was conducted on the original site as a dedication of the premises to construct the new

church building to honour and glorify God. Attendees at the Ceremony and Service included representatives of the Methodist Church in Cambodia; representatives of MMS from Singapore and Cambodia; the Pastor-In-Charge (PIC), Lay Leader and LCEC Chairman of TMC; the PIC and LCEC Chairman of GTMC, as well as TMC supporters and several neighbours in the community.

In his sermon, “What is the Church Made of?”, TMC’s PIC Rev Alvin Chan encouraged GTMC to reach out to their community in love and establish themselves firmly in the Word of God. The new church building is expected to be completed before the end of 2016 and will certainly become a landmark where the people of God can minister to the growing population of this vibrant township.

Editor’s note: This article was first published in Methodist Message March 2016 issue.

Pray for Glory Trinity Methodist Church • Pray for the construction work.

• Pray for peace and favour from the neighbours and authorities.

• Pray for safety of all the workers.

• Pray that the church will reap fruits from its outreach programmes and be encouraged.

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A LANDMARK WHERE THE PEOPLE OF GOD CAN MINISTER TO THE GROWING POPULATION OF THIS VIBRANT TOWNSHIP.

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NEPAL

REFLECTIONS of a MEDICAL MISSION Trip T

Dr Tan Poh Yong is a 29-year-old Singaporean medical doctor currently working as a specialist in internal medicine. In her free time, she likes to watch movies and exercise eg cycling. She is married and has worshipped at Covenant Community Methodist Church for the past eight years.

his trip to Ilam, Nepal from 27 November to 4 December 2015 was my first ever mission trip, and also my first ever medical trip. These eight days really opened my eyes to many things.

medical care, transport and IT infrastructure. These are the little things that we take for granted, but are so limited and precious in Nepal.

DO NOT TAKE THINGS FOR GRANTED

Through our daily devotions and random snippets of wisdom dropped along the way, I have learnt to understand Christ and see God from different perspectives. Worshipping God in the company of likeminded brothers and sisters was electrifying. And prayer sessions were so deep and touching.

Through the meditations and experiences of others, I have learnt to appreciate the minute ways God works in my life, and the little wonderful things He has put in place for me are now magnified.

Compared to the living conditions in Nepal, we Singaporeans are living in luxury.

We have electricity available 24/7 while the Nepalese have a load shedding schedule where there is no electricity for 9.5 hours every day due to the fuel shortages. Hot water, comfortable beds, clean surroundings, fresh air, smooth roads, just government, freedom of religion, solid concrete buildings, street lamps, drinkable tap water, readily accessible

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP IS IMPORTANT FOR FAITH TO GROW

I SHALL TRY NOT TO BE LATE FOR CHURCH

Pray for Mission Team • • • • • •

Pray for the spiritual preparation and development of the mission team.

Pray for the flexibility of the mission team.

Pray for the financial support of the mission team.

Pray for the health, safety, and travel of the mission team.

Pray for the spiritual wisdom and loving service of the mission team.

Pray for the Spirit to open blinded eyes and that unbelievers will see Christ.

• Pray for the spiritual development, strength, and growth of the partner churches or ministries that the mission team is working with.

Some of the Nepalese villagers have to travel three hours by foot, trekking through the hills and valleys and unmarked terrain just to go to church for an hour, then make their three-hour journey back home to prepare dinner. Their dedication to God makes me feel guilty. Back in Singapore, I am late for church because I want to snooze for a couple of minutes longer. I even

FIELDFEATURE 17

entertain the thought of skipping church because I am tired. In actual fact, all I have to do to get to church is so much simpler than what these villagers had to do.

HAVE FAITH IN GOD, FOR HE IS THE ULTIMATE PROVIDER

Matthew 6:26 (NIV) says “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” The people of Nepal have so little, yet they have made it this far. And their faith and dedication perhaps surpass many of ours. From a doctor’s point of view, medically, I have not achieved much. After all, how much pain relief can I provide with one week’s worth of painkillers? However, knowing that this is all part of God’s plan, that I do not have to worry about whether or not what I do is enough, that God is the ultimate provider, renews me with a sense of calm and purpose. God does not need me to heal, for He is the greatest Healer of all.

I hope that I will always keep these lessons I have learnt close to my heart, and I do hope that more people will have the opportunity to experience God’s greatness this way too.

I HOPE THAT I WILL ALWAYS KEEP THESE LESSONS I HAVE LEARNT CLOSE TO MY HEART.

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NEPAL

Hearing HIS VOICE “I

Noel Tam is an MMS home-based missionary and the Country Coordinating Officer for Nepal. He enjoys a good book in his quiet time alone.

f anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. Consider carefully what you hear”, he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you – and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”

Mark 4:23-25, NIV As part of our training and equipping of our Nepali Pastors and laity with emphasis on our Wesleyan disciplines of Social and Personal Holiness, MMS arranged for Ms Brenda Goh to conduct a two and a half day seminar on “Hearing the Voice of God”. 30 participants were given insight and understanding on receiving revelation through hearing. Hearing God’s voice gives us direct Kingdom access and through our constant doing of God’s will, His Kingdom rule is promoted. The understanding of His voice gives substance to our relationship with Him and we live and serve out of an inward reality that proceeds from Him. The participants were spiritually enriched by their experience and it is our prayer that they will continue to know and experience our loving God through knowing His voice and exercising these disciplines in their daily lives and ministries.

REV SINGA TAMANG, PASTOR, ABHISEK METHODIST FELLOWSHIP:

I have been in ministry since 2004. At times, I feel confused in my prayer life. It was a challenge to hear His voice. While I was translating Brenda’s notes, I thought it is like meditation.

However, during our practical sessions, I discovered that it is about knowing God our Father, to be able to recognise and hear His voice. Many of us could see the visions, hear the voices and find the verses that related to our lives. Praise the Lord for this new insight. It’s amazing that by faith, I am able to hear His voice and have rediscovered the meaning of prayer. I am sharing this wonderful experience within my Church and pray that they too will learn to hear our Father’s voice.

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HEARING GOD’S VOICE GIVES US DIRECT KINGDOM ACCESS.

Pray for Nepal • Pray for the participants to continue to practice the discipline of hearing the voice of God and to be obedient to His calling.

• Pray for the participants to share their experience, that many more will have the joy of hearing His voice.

Editor’s note: This article was first published in Methodist Message June 2016 issue.

KP AND PRADIPA ADHIKARI, WESLEY BARDAN MC:

My wife and I have been living our lives without truly hearing His voice, having one-way conversations in prayer. Hearing the voice of our Master is essential for all who love Him. We need to discern His voice above the noise of the world we live in. To hear His voice, we must adopt the posture of Solitude, Silence and Stillness.

From the practical sessions, we were able to see visions, hear His words and connect with others to see the big picture that God has given to us. We now pray with confidence, knowing that we can hear His voice. Our prayer is for us to be obedient to His call, trusting in Him for His faithfulness!

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THAILAND

THREE MILESTONES at 11th Thai Annu T

he 11th Session of the Thai Annual Meeting was held on 15 and 16 March 2016 at Shineforth Methodist Church in Chiang Mai. It was chaired by Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup. Rev Kenneth Huang, Pastor-in-charge of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church (KKMC), and Lyndon Gan, KKMC Missions Lay Ministry Staff, were present to lend their support at the ordination service.

It was a considerably significant milestone for the history of the Methodist Church in Thailand as there were three key highlights.

ORDINATION

David Khew is the MMS Country Coordinating Officer for Thailand and Laos. He enjoys orderliness which is next to godliness.

Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup ordained two Elders and two Deacons.

The 2 Elders are Rev Pisut Khongsukthara of Water of Life Church (supported by KKMC) and Rev Somphan Saengkhen of Genesis Methodist Church. The 2 Deacons are Ps Namphol Pichpartapee of Sanphranet Methodist Church and Ps Panya Khajornsantichaikul of Payakondee Methodist Church (supported by KKMC).

MINISTERS-ON-TRIAL

For the first time, three female Thai ministers were admitted as Ministers-on-Trial (MOT).

BOOK OF DISCIPLINE

The Thai Book of Discipline was adopted as the constitution by the Mettakij Church Association.

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ual Meeting

Pray for Thailand • Pray for God’s guidance and spiritual coverage upon the newly-ordained pastors and MOT candidates.

• Pray for the newly ordained Elders and Deacons as they learn the ropes and discharge their new responsibilities effectively with love and passion.

• Pray that the pastors and church leaders will learn, understand and apply the Book of Discipline in their ministries.

• Pray that all the pastors will be refreshed and transformed continually

by God’s word.

• Pray for God’s hedge of protection to be around all the pastors and their families.

• Pray for God to richly expand the work in Thailand.

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TIMOR-LESTE

Sundermeier Home: ENABLING BRIGHTER FUTURES for TimorLeste students M

Noel Tam is the Country Coordinating Officer for Timor-Leste at the time of writing.

He worships at Pentecost Methodist Church and loves to spend time with his two grandsons.

irroring the beautiful morning sunrise, with its rays penetrating through the trees on the hillside amidst the morning mist, was the enthusiasm and anxiety of the 25 youths – 13 boys and 12 girls – as they sang praises in thanksgiving to God during their morning devotion on 4 March 2016. It was a special day for them as guests from Singapore and the local district officials would be witnessing the dedication of the first Methodist hostel in Timor-Leste, Sundermeier Home,

by Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup of The Methodist Church in Singapore.

The idea of having a hostel for high school students in Timor-Leste was conceived in 2012. Leaders from MMS observed that many students had to walk two to three hours each way, as the only high school for the Ermera District is located in Gleno.

The Home aimed to offer a safe and healthy community where the students could continue their high school education. They would also be able to grow in a Christian environment, emphasising God’s love and sharing

His love with one another. This would help them to become mature and responsible citizens and leaders, serving their community and nation.

After acquisition of the land in 2013, construction of the home commenced in January 2015 and was completed in December 2015. It was designed to accommodate up to 40 students. The first group of youths were interviewed and accepted in January 2016.

It was a joyful dedication service, followed by the unveiling of the dedication plaque and planting of a tree to commemorate the event.

Mr Johann Senaratna from Hakka Methodist Church sponsored this hostel project. He shared: “I trust that the students would be made to feel very much at home here, and just like in the Christian homes that some of us grew up in, have access to the Gospel and be able to learn about our Lord and Saviour, so that they too in His time would join the family.”

The hostel was named Sundermeier Home to honour Johann’s foster parents, Karl and Marlene Sundermeier. They had served as missionaries in Sri Lanka and Namilia.

Five students shared their testimonies of how good God is, that He would allow them to experience His love and to continue their high school education.

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Here is an extract from a student: Indeed God is good and is faithful. The closing hymn of the dedication service, ‘Jesus, We Enthrone You’, is very apt as we praise Him and acknowledge His kingship in our lives and the lives of these students residing in Sundermeier Home!

OILNDA MADEIRA:

“My father is a farmer and there are eight children in my family. My objective is to study well, learn English and be able to speak good English in future. I also want to improve in my studies so that I can continue my university education. It is my dream to do something good for my family and my community.”

Pray for Sundermeier Home

The dedication plaque unveiled. Second from left is Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup, and third from left is the hostel’s sponsor, Mr Johann Senaratna.

Students from the Home leading in worship at the service.

• Pray for our missionaries Joseph and Grace Mannar as they provide love and care for the children. May God grant them strength, good health and wisdom.

• Pray for the children as they experience God’s presence in their lives, learn to receive His love and to share that love with their families and friends.

Support a Child • Support a child through MMS Student Sponsorship Scheme (SSS).

Visit www.mms.org.sg

Editor’s note: This article was first published in Methodist Message April 2016 issue.

IT IS MY DREAM TO DO SOMETHING GOOD FOR MY FAMILY AND MY COMMUNITY.

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TIMOR-LESTE

TRACKERS: Conveying HOPE IN GOD T

Fernaldy Frumentius Sutandyo worships at Living Waters Methodist Church and is a freshman in NUS Business Administration this year.

Pray for Sundermeier Home • Pray that God will continue to work on the hostelites. May He heal them emotionally.

• Pray for the hostelites will embrace the culture of the Home and experience a personal relationship with God in the process.

eam Espera was in TimorLeste under the TRACkers (a 3-month youth discipleship programme for youths in transition organised by TRAC Youth Ministries aka Truthmin) from 13 to 23 February 2016.

Espera means “hope” in Tetum, the main language of TimorLeste. The team wanted to convey to the Timorese the hope which flows from God’s unfailing love.

Personally, I sensed God’s leading for me to go TimorLeste. In a TRACkers lecture about Hearing God’s Voice, I heard country name, “TimorLeste”, although I would have preferred Bali since Indonesia is my country and I understand the culture there. I thought I can translate for the team.

However, the church decided three weeks later to relocate the Bali team to another place due to the bombing in Jakarta and terrorist threats in Indonesia.

That was the first sign for me.

Later on, at other meetings, people were asking if anyone in our team knows Bahasa Indonesia. Apparently the older Timorese and the hostelites in the Sundermeier Home know Bahasa Indonesia! God is the One who holds the future.

We visited the Prep Class for Primary School started by David Chan, MMS Missionary, and ministered to the students

through skits and Christian action songs. When the principal-cum-translator was down with a headache, I took over a session because the older students understood Bahasa Indonesia.

We also visited Cocoon Learning Centre where Rudy Wong, another MMS Missionary, is teaching English, and Hudi Laran Village where David and his family conduct the weekly Children’s Ministry.

The bulk of our time was spent in Sundermeier Home which is run by Joseph and Grace Mannar, MMS Missionary couple. There were 12 boys and 12 girls when we were there. We were the first overseas team to visit them. We bonded over the five days through meal times, sports games, mini carnival, mass dance, and even a visit to a local market at Gleno.

In the evenings, we ministered to them intentionally by worshipping together and sharing our testimonies. Then in smaller groups, we had discussions about the message.

The hostelites shared openly about their problems, mostly relating to hurts inflicted by their family members. We encouraged and prayed with them.

The highlight of the trip was the finale night. We presented the Lifehouse Everything Skit and one of our team members

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CELESTINE’S TESTIMONY

I asked God how I could serve Him in Gleno and He showed a vision of me praying for a crying girl. When we reached the hostel, there were 12 girls. I could not tell who was in my vision. I thought it could just be my imagination and brushed it aside. Then on one of the nights, a girl approached me for prayer. I did not probe further about her problem as she seemed reluctant to share. But as I prayed, she was crying although she might not have understood my prayer since the translator was not beside us. After the prayer, she shared her problems without my having to ask. God works in ways we cannot imagine!

shared a very personal testimony about her struggle with suicidal thoughts. In closing, the Spirit led us to a song of response, Amn O Diak, which means Father You are Good. It was one of the few Tetum songs we learnt and sung together a few times.

But that night was different. Tears rolled freely as we sang from our hearts. Almost everyone in the room was ministered to by the Holy Spirit.

David wrapped up the night with an impromptu message from John 10:10 and Jeremiah 29:11. The Lord declared He knows the plan for us; plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. Almost everyone responded to the call to take a step of faith and declare their trust in Jesus. Incidentally, without any prior discussion, this was the same message the team received before the trip.

The mission trip was a rich and memorable encounter with God and His people in Timor-Leste. We will keep the missionaries and the people in prayer and go back when God issues the call.

DOMINIQUE’S TESTIMONY

My main challenge was not being able to find a common interest with the hostelites and so I could not connect with them. But God still used my testimony to minister to them. At one of the nightly smaller group sessions, the girls in my group shared their personal stories which surprisingly I could relate to on an emotional level. God works in and through our lives. They were crying after we prayed for them. Prompted by the Spirit, I hugged the girls individually. As I did, tears welled up in my eyes and I could feel whatever they were feeling – the emotions, pain, and hurt. Although we did not share many common interests, we connected on an emotional level through our stories.

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VIETNAM

TRAC-WSCS ON TRACK TO VIETNAM T

he idea for a TRAC-WSCS (Trinity Annual Conference - Women’s Society of Christian Service) mission trip to Vietnam dated back to as early as 2010 when Betty Low was our Missions Coordinator. In God’s kairos time, it took place from 16 to 20 March 2016.

“To make Christ known throughout the whole world” is one of WSCS’ purposes.

Partnering MMS and coming alongside International Christian Fellowship – Ho Chi Minh City (ICF-HCMC) helped TRACMary Ann Chua WSCS achieve this objective is one of TRAC-WSCS Missions and gave our members the Coordinators. She lived in Ho Chi Minh opportunity to go for missions.

City from 2005 to 2010. She prays for the country regularly.

Our 10-member team came from seven Methodist Churches (MC): Daisy Pang (Barker Road MC), Sharon-Anne Wong (Pentecost MC), Angelic Seah, Katherine Low (Aldersgate MC), Kan How Lau, Joscelyn Foo (Kampong Kapor MC), Vida Yap (Bedok MC), Mary Ann Chua, Tina Neoh (Christ MC), and Sandra Fong (Wesley MC).

The programme was WILL YOUR prepared in coordination CHURCH COME with ICF Pastor Rev ALONGSIDE MMS — TO Leslie Lim. Dr Simon Chong, MMS Country VISIT THE ORPHANS IN THE Director, also shared SHELTERS, GIVE HOPE TO his over-10-year experience of God’s THE SICK CHILDREN, AND kingdom work in SUPPORT GOD’S IN Vietnam.

THIS COUNTRY?

We planned a low key visit, but God surprised us. At the airport, the bus which would be our transport for the whole trip, had words emblazoned on it, “Praise the Lord”, “Watch and Pray”, “Pray for Vietnam”, and “Jesus loves you and me”. The bus declared God’s purpose.

During our five-day stay, we visited several MMS-NGO ministries.

At the SUNLIGHT SHELTER for 28 boys aged 6-16, there was a demonstration of balloon sculpting, [Photo 3] and a talk on the importance of good education. At the SUNRISE SHELTER, the girls were taught good dental habits. We took instant photographs of each girl and the 3 caregivers. Our reward? Their hugs! The balloon sculpting activity gave great joy.

The children in both shelters were treated to a KFC meal and given a hygiene kit each. Our hearts were warmed. We felt that personal relationships with the children can be strengthened by regular visits and hosting Christmas, Tet (Vietnamese New

FIELDFEATURE 27

Pray for ICF-HCMC

Year) or Easter Celebrations. The visit to the HOPE PAEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY WARD grew compassion in the hearts of trippers. Family members of kids suffering from cancer collected the ICF-prepared hygiene kit gifts comprising towels, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, masks, and wet wipes. A total of 140 patients were registered that day. Here, MMS partners a local church and their volunteers prepared an hour-long programme for the children in

the activity room while the visiting team took photos of each child and parent. The patients and family were touched when they saw their images slowly appear. We prayed silently for each child, all created in God’s image, to be healed and to know the Lord Jesus. In this ward, they saw that the love and kindness of God was present.

We also ministered to the ICF-HCMC Ladies Bible Study (LBS) group led by a Korean. This is a potential new area of ministry. On our last day, we attended the Palm Sunday Service at ICF-HCMC where we presented a song offering, “Love in any Language”. We met the founding pastor of ICF brother Albert Low and was blessed by the message of Pastor Leslie Lim. Our Missions trip was exploratory, - we were seeking to find areas where we can contribute to God’s kingdom work. God has shown us some areas which we can work towards. Currently there is no Methodist church that has committed to go to Vietnam.

Will your church come alongside MMS - to visit the orphans in the Shelters, give hope to the sick children, and support God’s work in this country? Let the Lord surprise you. Let His kindness and love appear.

• Reach out and help Pray for wisdom, discernment and faith in seizing the opportunities to work with the godly partners.

Pray that our funds will always be more than enough to bless the poor and needy God has placed in our care and to encourage them in their faith.

• Foreigners and families Pray for more expatriates and their families to make ICFHCMC their spiritual home for worship and growth. Pray that the youth will grow in their knowledge and grace of our Lord, know their purpose, and pursue God passionately.

• Growth and strength Pray for growth and strength as the pastor and leaders journey together. Pray for more people with spiritual maturity and gifts to help the church grow in its different ministries.

• House of Blessings Pray for ICF-HCMC to truly be a house of blessings to all nations as we continue to worship God in spirit and in truth. Pray that we will always look beyond ourselves to reach out beyond our four walls and boundaries.

SPECIAL FEATURE • SSS TESTIMONIES | 28

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] Term Fun Home (Thailand)

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MMS Executive Director Methodist Missions Society 70 Barker Road #06-01 The Methodist Centre Singapore 309936

HOMEINON... 31

MMS Fam ily MMS

welcomes a new missionary family that joined us in February 2016. Benjamin Lee and his wife, Serene, are serving in Cambodia with their children. Benjamin said, “We had this missionary calling since young, both Serene and myself. And we were just waiting upon God to give us the green light to go.”

In 2011, they arrived in Phnom Penh, did some church planting work, and headed a private school. Then when they learnt that MMS was looking for someone to head the Methodist School of Cambodia (MSC), Benjamin applied.

After a series of interviews with the school board, he was accepted.

He has been the principal of MSC since 2014. Meanwhile, they applied to be missionaries with MMS. And having undergone the entire application process, they were recommended by Bishop to be appointed.

Benjamin has a heart for the young people in Cambodia. He believes that the future of the church is in the young people. This is because they are so open to the Gospel and willing to learn and see change in their own lives and in that of the country.

Benjamin enjoys photography and goes on nature walks with his family.

W

e have another new missionary family! Daniel Loo, his wife, Sharon, and their four children are from South Camberwell Gospel Hall Uniting Church.

They were appointed by Bishop to serve in Thailand. Their appointment is from 1 May 2016 and they are based in Chiang Mai. Daniel has a special burden for the Thai people. He likes working with the rural people as they are humble, and many of them do realise their need for Christ. For that reason, he had served in Thailand since 2010 but with another organisation.

During his free time, Daniel likes to read. John Piper and John Stott are his favourite writers. Please pray for them as they step up their outreach to the people of Thailand.

Dear Lord, bless and protect Benjamin and Daniel, and their families. Let them be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. May God’s Word will spread rapidly and be honoured wherever it goes.

W

e bade farewell to Asnah and Susanto. They were serving in Timor-Leste and completed their term in June. They are from Medan and were in Timor-Leste for close to five years.

When they first arrived in Timor-Leste in early 2012, the plan was to do medical outreach since Asnah is a trained medical doctor. While waiting for the Ministry of Health (MOH) to approve the

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), they volunteered at an orphanage and did children’s ministry there. To date, the MOU is still not signed even though each time the MOH said it will be very soon.

The first thing they did when they arrived home was to spend time with their respective families. We thank God for their service and may God’s blessings be upon all their future endeavours.

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HARVESTFORCE 2016 • 2

MITE Participants MMS Missions Internship Training & Exposure (MITE) programme allows people to have a taste of missionary life while searching for God’s direction for them. Eight MITE participants went on this programme recently. Contact us if you are keen to gain experience and insights on missions for one to three months.

Jia Eenn (Trinity MC), Rachel (Toa Payoh MC), Charlene (Bukit Panjang MC), Jeremy and Charmaine (Church of Our Saviour), and Eunice (Ang Mo Kio MC) went to Cambodia.

Susanna (Covenant Community MC) is still in Cambodia to learn Khmer and help out at Hope House. Euphemia (Telok Ayer CMC) went to Timor-Leste.

Dear Lord, may their MITE experience propel them to serve You more fervently and to consider intensely their response to Your missions.

MMS Office

1

There are some reshuffling of roles and responsibilities in the MMS Office.

1 NOEL TAM has stepped up to be the Home Director to oversee the Home functions.

2 COL (RET) QUEK KOH ENG is the Area Director who takes care of the work in East Asia and Nepal.

3 REV TERESA WILBORN is the Area Director who takes care of the work in Laos and Timor-Leste.

4 DAVID KHEW is also the Country Coordinating Officer of Laos , besides Thailand.

5 JEREMY CHOO is the new Country Coordinating Officer of Cambodia.

Dear Lord, grant Your servants grace, wisdom and strength to carry out Your work.

4

2

5

3

HFSPECIAL 33

CURRENT TRENDS IN MISSION

URBAN and DIASPORA MISSIONS Oh Lord I am Your willing servant, You know that I have been for years I’m here in this pew every Sunday and Wednesday, I’ve stained it with many a tear I’ve given You years of my service, I’ve always given my best And I’ve never asked You for anything much. So, Lord I deserve this request

Rev Dr Andrew Peh graduated from Trinity Theological College (TTC) and Asbury Theological Seminary, and lectures in the area of mission at TTC. He gyms because he loves to fellowship with friends and family over coffee and meals. This is the second part of his essay.

Chorus: Please don’t send me to Africa, I don’t think I’ve got what it takes I’m just a man, I’m not a Tarzan – don’t like lions, gorillas or snakes I’ll serve You here in suburbia, in my comfortable middle class life But please don’t send me out into the bush where the natives are restless at night

I

n the first of the articles on mission trends, I provided some brief information on three developments that impinge on how we participate in God’s mission today. These are firstly, the rise of global Christianity in Asia, Africa and Latin America; secondly, the rapid development of information technology; and not least, globalisation. These factors have come together and been catalysts to a revision of mission trends in our time.

I’ll see that the money is gathered; I’ll see that the money is sent I’ll wash and stack the communion cups; I’ll tithe eleven percent I’ll volunteer for the nursery; I’ll go on the youth group retreat I’ll usher, I’ll deacon , I’ll go door to door, just let me keep warming this seat…1

URBAN MISSIONS

Most of my generation have heard various stories of how missionaries ventured into the jungles of Africa or South America and lived among the tribal peoples, seeking to win them over to the Gospel of Jesus, by living with them and among them. To date, one of those songs that still minister a great deal to me is Scott Wesley Brown’s Please don’t send me to Africa. It is very much like a contemporary anecdotal retelling of the Jonah story, where the protagonist bargains with God. The lyrics are as follows:

1

It was common for missionaries to travel to the remotest corners of the world at the turn of the 19th century because it was estimated that only about 4% of the then known world lived in the cities. But with the industrial revolution, the growth of the global economy and the rise of the church in the global south, global demographers estimate that more than half of the world today live in the urban centres in various and vastly different countries all over the world.2 And not surprisingly most of these megacities are not found in Europe but in right here in Asia!3 The call of the God is unchanged, in that He still calls us to go to bring the good news to these people whom He loves. It is still to the jungles that we will have to go but for the person open in heeding God’s call today, he/she may perhaps more likely find himself/herself in a concrete, urban jungle rather than the dense, vegetated jungles we commonly associate with the word “jungle”. I am not suggesting that there is NO need to send missionaries to the rural and forested regions all across the world. We should still be sending missionaries to these hard-to-reach tribal communities.

But with the rise of urban cities where many congregate for job opportunities, urban missions is increasingly a significant field that the church cannot ignore.

Timothy Tennent, the President

Please see the YouTube video of the song at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ITmHLf1DB_0&gl=SG&hl=en-GB. Lyrics and music by Scott Wesley Brown and Phill McHugh Copyright 1988, BMG Songs / Pamela Kay Music

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HARVESTFORCE 2016 • 2

of Asbury Theological Seminary is right in saying that, “the lost peoples of the world today are more likely to carry cell phones than spears.”4 DIASPORA MISSIONS

While human migration might not have been a recent reality (which includes the biblical account of the Israelites settling in Egypt and later in the Promised Land), it is perhaps in recent decades that we have witnessed an unprecedented volume (as well as rate) of mass migration of people from the global south in search of better living conditions, better job prospects and ultimately, a better life!

More currently, we have read of the plight of the Rohingyas as they leave Myanmar in search of a better home and a better life as well as the situation of the Syrian refugees in the EU. Such migrations precipitated discussions among mission organisations as far back as 2004 and one of the important documents outlining the importance of this aspect of mission emphasis is The Lausanne Occasional Paper 55: The New People Next Door.5 In brief, diaspora missions entails a sensitivity to the various different ethnic groups that live within our local community, with the

deep seated understanding that “God moves His people in judgment and for redemption.”6 It envisions an ekklesia built upon the example of the community within the Trinity. It encourages that God’s people should welcome all, especially the ‘alien’ and the marginalised.

Diaspora missions is not merely a new discussion that mission think-tanks have embarked on for the sake of novelty or for relieving banality among the missiological studies.

There is an optimism that this should and must be the focus of local churches in engaging with the new realities from the perspective of mission Dei. The onus is upon churches to build communities that reflect the life of the Trinity; where the poor, the marginalised, the ‘alien’ among us – be it the Chinese peidu mother (陪读妈妈), the Bangladeshi/Thai worker, the Myanmese/Indonesian domestic helpers, the Filipino nurses, the Malaysian factory workers – are able to

experience God’s love in a pragmatic way through each and every one of us who called ourselves followers of Jesus. In this sense, diaspora missions involves every single person in the church and calls us to be active participants of mission Dei. In other words, we are all missionaries!

2

Barrett, Johnson, ed., World Christian Encyclopedia, vol. 1, col. 27-29, page 883.

3

Of the top ten megacities listed in 2015, all are found in Asia with the exception of New York (9th position).

They are Tokyo-Yokohama, Jakarta, Delhi, Manila, Seoul-Incheon, Shanghai, Karachi, Beijing, New York, Guangzhou-Foshan. Please see http://www.ibtimes. co.uk/world-cities-day-ten-biggest-megacitiesworld-1526512

4

http://timothytennent.com/?s=ten+ mission+trends

5

https://www.lausanne.org/wpcontent/uploads/2007/06/ LOP55_IG26.pdf

6

Ibid, 10

35

The LASTING FRUIT of Missions we call disciples and they are the ones who will make the difference. They are those who will rise above the smog of human mess, and be able to see the brighter vision from above the cloud of carnal conduct. While not neglecting to attend to the needs of frail humanity, they are able, at the same time, to pursue the priorities of the kingdom.

THE PROGRESS OF A MISSION

Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup 黄文合牧师（博士） Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore • 新加坡卫理公会会督 He thinks that he is engaged in a constant battle to keep his weight down even as he enjoys his food.

W

hat is the one thing we must see at the end point of our missions enterprise?

THE LOCAL CHURCH A church, some may say. That

is the end point of church planting missions. This is biblical.

Church is a God-designed means of nurturing believers within a community of likehearted individuals. Church is God’s vehicle for advancing His kingdom here on earth.

Biblical as it is, the church often gets bogged down with human and carnal issues that have resulted in many a church being nothing more than a social club.

What is church anyway?

It is an assembly (ekklesia) of individuals. These are people

Sometimes, we measure the progress of missions by the size of the churches, and the resources they have accumulated to pursue their growing work. This can be misleading. The resources they have may be funding from abroad, and expatriate missionaries staffing their church. The real progress indicators are to be excavated from beneath this surface. That is where we must find indigenous Christians disciples who are able to trust God by drawing upon the rich resources of their own community. They are the ones who have been taught and have caught onto the principle of tithing and giving. God supplies their needs in His own supernatural way in response to their faith and generosity.

Similarly, such disciples are the ones who have evangelised their own people. The growth of their congregations has come about, not due to the lateral movement of Christians from other struggling churches, but from conversions through the ministry of such disciples.

The maturity of such disciples will be seen in their ownership

of the process of reaching out to their own people and their shared responsibility of transforming their society. These are persons who are grateful in having received much from their missionary partners, while at the same time understand the need to contextualise their particular indigenous realities against a biblical setting.

Therefore, amidst all the programmes and activities we have to execute in our missions enterprise, we want to look out for disciples with such potential.

What then are the marks of such disciples?

MARKS OF A DISCIPLE

The primary attention we must give is to the character of the individual. Skills, like preaching and teaching, management and organisation, are secondary.

Knowledge, like skills, can be more easily unlearned.

Character, however, once formed, takes a longer time to be redeemed, if at all.

What are the key characteristics we want to look for? Love is number one.

Normally, we would place love for God as key. But how can we know whether this love for God is genuine, mature and wholesome? It is when we see this love demonstrated in love for neighbour. No matter the amount of spirituality that one can spout in private conversation, or over the pulpit, there is something gravely missing if we see the so-called disciple mistreating another person, be that a church member or anyone else, unbelievers included. It is

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HARVESTFORCE 2016 • 2

authentic God-filled love that will eventually cause such a disciple to be concerned about social justice issues as well as pastoral matters within the church.

This love for God and neighbour is nurtured through a deep personal relationship, first with God, and accompanied by selfless engagement in the lives of people. Our love for God is incomplete if it thrives only in one-on-one intimacy with Him. It is in the company of other Christminded persons that we can see mirrors of ourselves.

The second mark to look for in the character of a disciple is

commitment.

It flows from love. How is this commitment visible in the disciple?

Perseverance - it is only when one is committed that one perseveres.

No enterprise lasts if we do not have those who keep labouring even in the midst of opposition and challenges. They do this not simply out of loyalty to the leaders of their movement, but more due to their understanding of the greater purpose entrusted to them by God. Hence, they will be willing to accept the failings of their leaders, and pursue the ultimate goal, whatever the human shortcomings they face.

Another character trait of a disciple flowing from commitment is self-discipline.

This means that the person demonstrates his or her faithfulness to what has been received in instruction by putting it into practice. In a pioneering situation, when the opportunity for group accountability is not yet available, and one may be alone,

this trait is essential in not just carrying out what is expected, but also in showing restraint when the occasion calls for it. In facing opposition, in particular when there is provocation, self-discipline is essential in advancing peace rather than escalating it unnecessarily.

Jesus said in John 15:8 (ESV): “By this my Father is glorified: that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciple.� This fruit includes both the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), as well as the presence of other believers who have been brought to faith in Christ. Admittedly, this is something that will take time.

But the end point of missions is that there are people who have become believers. So a disciple on the mission field must demonstrate fruitfulness in being able to gather local people who have been born again to Christ through his or her own ministry.

CONCLUSION What we want to see at the end point of our mission are people who have a deep love for other people flowing out of their love for their Lord, committed, self-disciplined and fruitful. These disciples who multiply themselves are the ones instrumental in planting the church, providing service to the community, and sustaining the mission.

宣教成果 持续不衰 宣教的终极目标应当定睛在哪里？ 当地教会 人说，按照圣经教导，植堂 的终极目标应该是建立教 会。教会是上帝所设计的管道，藉 以培育信徒群体，携手同心拓展 祂在地上的国度。然而，按照圣经 教导所建立的教会，却经常受到许 多血气与肉体的牵制，以致裹足不 前，许多教会因而变成与社交俱乐 部没有两样。 教会究竟是什么呢？“教会”在 希腊文为“ekklesia”， 指的是由 许多个体组成的聚会群体，这就 是我们所说的门徒，是带动教会转 向并改变的一群人。他们超越世 人的污浊，站在肉体行为的云团之 上，看到璀璨的愿景。他们既没忽 略脆弱人性的需要，同时又及时回 应上帝国度的呼唤。

有

宣教工作的进度 一些时候我们看待宣教工作的进 度是以教会的规模，以及教会筹集 了多少资源来推展与日俱增的工 作作为衡量的准绳。这可能有误导 性，因为这些资源也许来自海外， 或者这些教会有外籍宣教团驻堂 任职。我们必须由表入里，发掘实 质性的进度指标，那就是有必要 寻求愿意信靠上帝，并汲取社区丰 富资源的本土基督门徒。他们必 须受过教导，持守十一奉献与捐献 的原则。而上帝则以祂出人意外的 方式，回应他们的信心与慷慨的 奉献。 同样地，向同胞传福音的也是 这批门徒。会众人数之所以增加， 并非从其他挣扎中的教会游离过 来的，而是门徒努力的结果。 人们可以从这批门徒在同胞身 上怎么认真下功夫，挑起改变社会

的责任，看到他们是成熟的。他们 心存感恩，非常清楚自己原先是由 宣教伙伴那里领受了许多，同时认 识到必须把从圣经所领受的教导 在本土的处境中加以本色化。 有鉴于此，我们在推动各种宣 教活动时，必须落实有关宣教拓展 的原则，同时留意有潜能的门徒。 既是如此，门徒当有哪些标记呢？ 门徒的标记 首先，我们必须留意的是个别门徒 的品格。某些能力是属于次要的 评估点，例如：传讲、教导、管理、 组织等，知识、技能等较容易被淡 忘，而品格却不同，它一旦形成则 不容易改变和淡化！ 那我们当寻求哪些主要的品格 特质呢？爱心乃首要选项。人们通 常会把爱上帝视为关键的特质。问 题是，我们如何鉴定那份爱是真诚 的、成熟的乃至全面性的呢？关键 在于他如何对待邻舍。假如我们看 到某“门徒”，或在私下交谈或在 台上讲道时无不滔滔不绝，台下却 恶待他人，哪怕他针对的是会友或 非信徒，这样的人在灵性上就有严 重的问题了。门徒首先必须真正充 满上帝的爱，才可能被驱使去关怀 社会公义的问题，以及教会里的牧 养问题。 这份对于上帝和邻舍的爱，是 在与上帝有着亲密关系的大前提 下，与他人建立起无私的生命的关 系中栽培起来的。如果我们对上帝 的爱只停留在与祂一对一的亲密 关系，那这样的爱是不完全的。我 们只有在与其他以基督为主的人在 一起，才可看清自己的本相。 门徒品格的第二个标记是 献身，这是爱的外延。这种献身的 精神如何在门徒身上彰显出来呢？ 答案就在“坚持”二字，唯有决志

献身者，始有百折不挠的表现。 面对拦阻和挑战的人，若没有 不屈不挠地撑起宣教事工的精神， 是不能持久的。他们如此行，不是 出于对领导的效忠，而更多的是基 于他们对上帝所托付的大使命的 认知。正因为如此，他们愿意接受 领导的弱点，不看人性的短处，唯 有勇往直前，奔向那最终的标杆。 门徒愿意献身，流露了另一个 特质——自律。这就是说，门徒接 受了指示并付诸行动，即体现了其 忠心不二的心志。在开荒性的处 境中，在未有团队共同承担的情况 下，这位门徒或许必须单独上路， 不单是去执行任务，而是在面对不 利的情况时，更有自律的品格。在 敌对的氛围中，尤其是面临挑衅的 情势下，自我克制的能力更显得重 要，唯有如此始能化干戈为玉帛， 使场面不致升级、恶化。 主耶稣在约翰福音15：8说： “你们多结果子，我父就因此得荣 耀，你们也就是我的门徒了。”这 里所说的果子，包括了圣灵的果 子， （加拉太5：22-23），也包括了 因信归主的其他信徒。当然，这不 是一蹴而就的事情。然而，宣教的 终点是：有人成为了信徒。因此， 凡是在禾场的门徒必须体现出多 结果子的潜能，因为他藉着事工与 服事，吸引了一批当地人在基督里 获得重生。 小结 我们最期待的是在宣教终点看到： 一批爱主的人蒙造就，流露出对他 人深切的爱，并愿意献身、自律、 能结果子。这批能够自我倍增的门 徒正是植堂的良好器皿——他们 服务社群，并持续宣教。