To Marry, Grow, and Serve

Alvin and Wendy on their wedding day

Iwas hopping from church to church (all nonMethodist ones) when I met a girl, Wendy, while on holiday with a few colleagues in Bali. About nine months later, I married her. Wendy had one condition for the wedding. She wanted to get married in her church— Wesley Methodist Church (WMC). To do that, I had to become a member. So I was baptised and got married at WMC, becoming a Methodist in the process.

Wendy and I lived in an apartment along Dunearn Road. When Methodist Girls' School (MGS) moved to Blackmore Drive, just across the road, Wendy was elated as she thought she could send our daughters, if we had any, to MGS where she had studied. But God gave us two sons instead. And when it came to choosing a school for the boys, Wendy wanted them to attend Anglo-Chinese School (Junior) (ACSJ). I would have chosen Raffles Institution (RI) where I had spent my secondary school years at, but alas, RI does not have a primary school. I reluctantly sent them to ACSJ, hoping they would go to RI later on. But after six years at ACSJ, they had formed such strong friendships with their classmates that they chose to continue their education at ACS Independent instead. I have to admit that they turned out to be fine, God-loving gentlemen, thanks to the strong foundation given to them at ACS.

At WMC, we have many members who are old boys and girls of ACS or MGS, as well as second- and third-generation members whose parents or grandparents have been worshipping at WMC for years. I belong to neither group. Instead, I am in a third group comprising members with no prior Methodist affiliation or upbringing whatsoever. And there are many like me at WMC.

I thank God I was able to assimilate into WMC quite easily. I didn't feel out of place at all as the former ACS boys and MGS girls made an effort to embrace all in the church. Like many others, I have experienced true community and I had the privilege of marrying, growing and serving in Wesley. All glory to God!

Alvin Tay and family on a mission trip to Chiangmai

Corrigenda

In the October 2022 issue of Methodist Message, • Due to source errors in "Methodist Preschools recognise staff with Long Service Awards", the names of Ms Lim Geok

Ling and Mdm Ong Bee Heoh were published as Ms Lim Lilian and Mdm Guok Ching King respectively. • A printer's error occurred during the plating process. Mr Alfie Lim's name was misprinted in the Young Voices column.

"10" EARNEST & MINGLI LIVE IN CONCERT

11, 16, 25 November 2022 East Asia School of Theology (11 Nov), Trinity Theological College (16 Nov), St James Church (25 Nov) Free entry. Register for the concerts at: (11 Nov) https://tinyurl.com/11NovemberEAST (16 Nov) https://tinyurl.com/16NovemberSPH (25 Nov) https://tinyurl.com/25NovSTJAMES

Be enthralled by acoustic music storytelling of Bible narratives by local singer-songwriter duo, Earnest and Mingli, as they celebrate their milestone in songwriting ministry. The "10" concert series commemorates their decade-long journey as Christian artists in ministry. Catch one, or all three, of their concerts this November.

Organised by East Asia School of Theology

OLD TESTAMENT SUMMIT

28 November 2022, Monday, 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Wesley Methodist Church, 5 Fort Canning Rd, Singapore 179493 Free entry. Register at https://wycliffe.sg/otsummit

Is the Old Testament still relevant in present times? Inviting all pastors, church leaders and ministry workers to come together for a time of worship, sharing and panel discussions hosted by the 4.2.20 Foundation. Topics discussed at this summit include the importance of the Old Testament and the "OT Gap"—what it is, and how to eliminate it.

Summit panellists and worship leaders include: • Bishop Dr Gordon Wong, Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore & Former Professor of OT, Trinity Theological College • Rev David Swarr, PhD, President & CEO, 4.2.20 Foundation • Rev Stanley Chua, President, Trinity Annual Conference, The Methodist Church in Singapore • Rev Wayne Hilsden, Co-Founder, Fellowship of Israel Related Ministries & King of Kings Community Jerusalem • P S Kwan, Senior Bible Translation Consultant, Wycliffe Singapore • Rev Raymond Fong, Pastor-in-charge, Wesley Methodist Church • Henry Tan, Vice Chairman, Alpha Singapore

Organised by 4.2.20 Foundation (an Alliance Organization in Wycliffe Global Alliance)

by Kopikaki team