A n ewsletter o f The N a viga to rs S in ga po re M C I ( P ) 185/03/2017
DECEMBER 2017 SP IS ECI SU A E L
Roger Yeo, who leads NavTech, desires to bring light to the digital community, as he shares Christ with them.
FROM THE NATIONAL DIRECTOR
by Yap Kim Meng
This time last year, I was asking God to lead me in my new responsibility as National Director. Through 2 Chronicles 20:17, God assured me that He will work on my behalf and I need not be afraid. As I look back on 2017, I can only attest of His faithfulness and give thanks for all that He has brought to pass. God has done so much for us in The Navigators Singapore, some of which you will read about in this issue of NavNews. www.navigators.org.sg The calling of The Navigators is to advance the Gospel of Jesus and His Kingdom into the nations through spiritual generations of labourers living and discipling among the lost. Views expressed in published articles are those of the individual writers and may not necessarily be the views of The Navigators Singapore. National Director: Yap Kim Meng Editor: Loo Jia Yu Design & Layout: Loo Jia Yu Writers: Royston Koh, Sophie SimLawrence Main Photographer: Loo Jia Yu Content Contributors: Aaron Ang, Abner Yee, Andson Tang, Chiang Kiam Siong, Christopher Lian, Guan Chau Liang, He Ruixin, Jane Ng, Joel Koh, Kathleen Ho, Low Sau Bing, Pun Wee Leong, Robert Yeun, Roger Yeo, Ryoo Jae Kwan, Sita Shanmugam, Viloane Ko, Vivien Lim, Yap Kim Meng Printer: Seng Lee Press © 2017 by The Navigators Singapore
Our highlight for 2017 is the re-affirmation of the Nav CORE— Calling, Values and Vision. We spent much time meeting, praying and having devotions—all for the sole purpose of seeking God’s direction, as we discussed and deliberated each aspect of the Nav CORE. Consequently, on Labourers’ Day, the nine Core Values were explained in relation to The Wheel® illustration, and how the obedient Christian’s inner and relational lives revolve around these values. More than 170 labourers had the opportunity to hear what the Lord has impressed on our hearts. That day, we stood as one body and asked the Lord to fulfil the Nav CORE for us. Everyone present also copied all seven paragraphs of the Nav Vision. This exercise was inspired by my habit of copying a psalm each day, which I have been doing over the last four years. Copying a text takes time and this in turn enables us to pause, ponder and better understand what we are reading. We can all experience God’s goodness in our lives. In Praying the Psalms, a book I published recently, I share how Psalm 40 shows the wonderful ways of God’s workings. I summarised this psalm using seven Ws. They are—Wait (vv. 1-2), Worship (vv. 3-4), Wonders (v. 5), Will (vv. 6-8), Witness (vv. 9-10), Weak (vv. 11-15) and Win (vv. 16-17). Perhaps you would like to take some time to copy and meditate on Psalm 40 and see what our Father is saying to you for the New Year. He will promise you something special—and fulfil it. As an organisation, we are trusting God to do a new work in our midst (see Isaiah 43:19). We pray that He will challenge hearts to go forth and convict us to leave our comfort zones to carry out His plans and purposes. Would you pray along with us as we update you throughout the year on how God is leading us? May you and yours have a most blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with the wonderful promises of our good Lord.
CONT ENTS
From Geeks to Disciple-makers
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Faith at Work
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Come, Let’s Commune Together!
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Black, Red & White
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A Look Back at Year 2017
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P la n n ing Yo ur L ega cy
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by Sophie Sim-Lawrence
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1.8 billion Facebook accounts. 600 million Instagram users. 150,000 Infocomm Technology professionals in Singapore alone. For Roger Yeo and his wife Pearlyn, these figures mean only one thing—potential. The potential to transform geeks and to use technology for disciple-making.
FROM GEEKS TO DISCIPLE-MAKERS Two years ago, while the Yeos were seeking God for ministry direction, God opened their eyes to the vast number of students in local tertiary institutes who are studying to be Information Technology (IT) professionals. Many of them have never heard of the Gospel nor are they discipled. This number continues to grow yearly, as our government envisions a Smart Nation. Roger, who is trained as a computer engineer, realised that there was great potential for people trained in technology to harness it for the Kingdom of God. Once the leaders in The Navigators Singapore affirmed the couple’s desire, Roger and Pearlyn officially started NavTech in January 2016. NavTech’s vision is to advance the Gospel of Jesus
TOP: Roger and the NavTech ministry are in the midst of creating an app for Quiet Time named John 3:16. It is their hope that God’s love will be made known through the codes they write. PAGE 5: Participants at this year’s #Hack Singapore event. This is the second year that NavTech coorganised the event.
and His Kingdom into the nations through spiritual generations of labourers living and discipling among the lost in the digital space. The members in NavTech call themselves “geeks” affectionately because of their love for computers. The ministry started with one member. After a year, this person decided to move on. “We were naturally discouraged, but we trusted God to bring lasting fruits as we continue to labour faithfully,” Roger confided. Roger’s faith was rewarded. Currently, there are six geeks who are willing to be discipled and trained. On average, about 30-40 people joined each of their outreach events this year. Every week, geeks gather at the Yeos’ home for NavTech Connect. Together, they study the Bible, pray, worship, fellowship and have discussions about evangelism. Technology has modified the way some of these spiritual disciplines are conducted. For example, one week in every month, geeks in NavTech meet online for Skype Quiet Time sharing. To review Scripture, members click on tms.navigators.tech for a digital version of the Topical Memory System (TMS). The ministry also organises events like hackathons. A hackathon (combination of the words “hack” and “marathon”) is not a gathering of people attempting to perform illegal activities around computer networks.
Rather, it is an event where computer programmers, developers and technologists join others from the field of software development, like graphic designers, interface designers and project managers to collaborate on projects that have long-term impact. Together, they present possible digital solutions to real world challenges. On 20-22 October 2017, NavTech collaborated with other missional agencies, churches and local businesses such as Cru Singapore and Oikos to organise #Hack Singapore, the local edition of #Hack. About 90 people attended #Hack Singapore. It was a global hackathon and the second time that #Hack was organised in Singapore. What separated #Hack from others was that participants focused on mobilising technologists to support God’s work across the nations. This event offered communities a chance to learn from and with one another as they address interconnected and related challenges. Challenges in #Hack Singapore included tackling the issue of suicide, addressing human trafficking and engaging people connected to prostitution. NavTech proposed a challenge to figure out how to connect with and reach out to geeks using digital strategies. One team took on this challenge and in the span of 48 hours, considered the best way of engaging the target audience. They developed a digital pathway
P H OTO BY VIVIE N LIM, #H AC K S INGAP ORE 2017
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to share the Gospel in a non-threatening way. This team continues to work on the project and will bring it to completion in the next six to eight months. Aaron Ang’s interest in NavTech was piqued when he first heard of hackathons as a means for outreach. He is a geek who graduated with an engineering science degree and works as a research engineer. Prior to joining NavTech, Aaron never considered how he can use his skills and interests to make disciples. “My skills seem to be completely separate from my faith.” Aaron says. “NavTech has given me the opportunity to venture alongside other geeks in our Christian walk, while intentionally finding ways to use our skills and backgrounds to reach out to non-believers. My two separate tracks in life have finally merged.” For Guan Chau Liang, a security engineer, being a part of NavTech has heightened his sensitivity to the compelling presence of technology, especially that of mobile devices. Presently, the number of mobile subscriptions is greater than the total population of Singapore. Chau Liang believes that each screen presents an opportunity to bring people to Christ. The crux lies in figuring out how to do so. “It feels
like an adventure,” Aaron enthuses, “entering into new territories that have not been ventured into before. I know that I am in this ministry to make disciples of techies. But it is not clear yet how we can reach that goal. It is exciting to be a part of these pioneering efforts as we discuss these things together as a ministry.” Moving forward, Roger envisions having a team of like-minded labourers who make disciples and fulfil the Great Commission through technology amongst technologists. He hopes to create or put together a suite of tools that will be helpful to disciple-makers everywhere. Finally, Roger wants to augment and enhance the service of disciple-makers by using technology. Pray for Roger and his team that our Lord will enable them to reach out to the multitudes, one screen at a time.
If you would like to learn more about NavTech, feel free to drop them an email at navtech@navigators.org.sg.
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TOP: Pearlyn (extreme right) and Roger in their home where NavTech Connect is held. Aaron who sits beside Chau Liang (in orange shirt) are members of this ministry.
FAITH AT WORK by Sophie Sim-Lawrence WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM HE RUIXIN, LOW SAU BING AND ROBERT YEUN
After the carefree years of adolescence comes the demanding stage of adulthood. Understanding the numerous needs of this group, The Navigators Twenties-Thirties (NTT) ministry desires to walk alongside them through the myriad challenges of career and family life. NTT also aspires to help those in their twenties and thirties continue disciple-making in their natural spheres of influence. The mission of NTT is three-fold—to know Jesus intimately, to make Him known impact-fully and to intentionally help others do the same. Having a strong foundation in biblical truth and practising spiritual disciplines are important for Christian growth. Besides meeting in small mentoring groups near workplaces or homes, NTT holds seminars and workshops to help individuals grow in their career and ministry. Young couples are also mentored to equip them with the necessities to build strong, godly families. This wide array of activities allows disciples to develop a deeper relationship with God and spur them to live a Christ-centred life. Two members of NTT share their stories of faith at work—living out their faith and sharing Christ at their workplaces. They demonstrate how God is using NTT to reach out to young working adults.
P H OTO BY H U NTE RS RAC E ON U N SPLASH
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He Ruixin works in the airline industry. He shares how he tries to make Christ known impact-fully at his workplace.
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Like many of you, I spend a good part of my waking hours at work. I used to associate ministry with church or having Bible Study. Being in NTT, this notion of mine was challenged. Could I start a workplace ministry? Who are my neighbours? My colleagues perhaps, given the long hours I spend with them? Is it possible to make disciples of my fellow workmates? In 2015, I changed jobs and found it challenging to have a workplace ministry. Will I get into trouble with my boss or management if they find out? How do I start one? Will my colleagues think that I am crazy and look at me differently? I am not a senior staff, what can I achieve? Perhaps I should just wait and see? Nevertheless, my hesitance did not stop God from accomplishing His purpose. I clearly remember having a casual conversation with Colleague X in May last year. I was sharing with her how good God has been to me. In the midst
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of our conversation, I blurted, ‘It would be amazing if Christians in our office can meet to encourage and bless one another.’ In response, Colleague X expressed interest and indicated that Colleague Y shared my sentiment. On that very day, both colleagues created a WhatsApp group for Christians in our workplace. We also scheduled a take-away lunch fellowship session. During our fellowship session, we praised and worshipped God with the assistance of YouTube videos and gave thanks for God’s goodness in our lives. 18 months on, we continue to meet as a group. Each of our sessions is different and we have found resources created by The Navigators to be really useful. Once, the Word Hand illustration was modified into a game; on another occasion, we used ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) of prayer to help us work on parts of our prayers that are often neglected, like adoring God. While I may not know what the future holds for my workplace ministry, I know that all I need to do is place my trust in the Lord and he will make my paths straight (see Proverbs 3:5-6).
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Ruixin and his colleagues during one of their fellowship sessions.
Low Sau Bing shares how he is intentionally equipping another member with discipling skills so that she too, can make disciples among those she works with. Her name is Norelle May Laorden.
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‘I want to reach out to those around me, just as I did back home!’ Norelle replied enthusiastically, when I asked her what prompted her desire to join NTT during our first meeting together. Norelle was raised in a Catholic family. Back in Davao, Philippines, Norelle was involved with the Philippine Navigators’ high school ministry. There, she studied the Bible and later received Jesus as her personal Lord and Saviour. Norelle went on to disciple high school students while she was studying in university. In August 2016, God opened the door for Norelle to work in Singapore as a phlebotomist. Upon arrival, Norelle connected with NTT almost immediately. She wanted to discuss the possibility of having a workplace ministry among her Filipino colleagues in the hospital she works at. Together, we took a prayer walk around the hospital compound and trusted God to move the hearts of the people working there. Within a month, three of Norelle’s Catholic
TOP: Norelle (extreme left) and Sau Bing (extreme right) with members of their Bible Study group. One of these members is from Norelle’s hometown, while the others learnt about NTT when Norelle invited them to study the Bible together.
colleagues indicated interest in learning to read and study the Bible. These Filipinos were curious since they had never read and study the bible on their own. In spite of working shifts, this group continues to meet almost weekly to learn and praise God. They testify of how their personal relationship with Jesus has grown and they are excited to have discovered the joy of meditating on Scripture. This group even organises their own spiritual retreats! They are also learning from Norelle how to share their testimonies with family and friends, so that they can share them whenever they return to the Philippines. Though Norelle experiences health problems and there are family issues back home, her faith in God, love for her fellow colleagues and her trust in God’s provision show that neither geography nor life stages can limit discipleship and disciple-making.
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by Sophie Sim-Lawrence
TOP: Students discovering the joy of fellowship as they share their QT thoughts.
WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ABNER YEE, ANDSON TANG, CHRISTOPHER LIAN, RYOO JAE KWAN AND VILOANE KO
COME, LET’S COMMUNE 10
PAGE 11: Students in our five campus ministries meet every morning during term time to share their QT thoughts.
TOGETHER! Every morning during term time, students across our five campus ministries meet for fellowship. They meet for communal Quiet Time (QT) sharing. This practice first started when Ryoo Jae Kwan, who was then leading the Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) ministry, created a QT reading passage schedule for everyone in the ministry. Soon, all the other campus ministries followed suit. As students from these ministries share how they have benefited from these sharing sessions, we can gain a sense of why God intends fellowship to be a crucial Christian discipline. Fellowship is Communing with God. Before we can commune deeply with those around us, we need to first fellowship with our heavenly Father. This dimension of fellowship can be described as our vertical communion. Making time to read His word daily is an important aspect of our vertical communion with God. Admittedly, doing QT takes
discipline. Since QT sharing started, students who are uncertain about doing QT have found it easier as the common QT reading passage keeps them going. Older believers also have the opportunity to teach younger ones how to do QT. Such is the case for Navigators in Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Jewel Yu, a Singapore Polytechnic (SP) third
year student who is studying International Business, believes that God wants us to commune together because it allows for spiritual and personal growth. This has certainly been the case, as ministry leaders from our campus ministries affirm. Everyone’s personal devotional life is strengthened as they give their first hour to the Lord. Encountering God in our vertical communion allows us to have stronger and richer fellowships in our communities—our horizontal communion. Fellowship is Interdependence. When asked what they appreciated most about QT sharing, students and leaders alike indicated that they were grateful that it held them accountable for their walk with God. Tan Jingfei, a third year student who is reading Law in the National University of Singapore (NUS), attests, “Without QT sharing, I would fall back to my old lifestyle and miss spending precious time with God in the morning.” Gladys Ho, a Year 3 Biomedical Science student from NP, found that QT sharing has helped her gain deeper insights
to the common Bible passage everyone is reading for the day. The same Scripture often holds different meaning and lessons for different ones. By sharing, everyone learns from each other’s insights from God. 1 Corinthians 12 makes it clear that every single part of the body is necessary for its proper functioning. We were made to rely on one another. We share an interdependent relationship as God’s people. Fellowship is Strength. Jonathan Kwa, a Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) student studying Physiotherapy in his final year shared that he had just gone through three continual weeks of lectures, with three to six hours of lectures daily. What helped strengthen him during this tiring period, was QT sharing. “I felt energised by the fellowship each morning as I heard different encouragements God gave to each individual.” When we share, we multiply our individual blessing. We also allow God to be our strength—a source that is unlimited. Fellowship is Brokenness. For Nicole Yip, a second year Pharmacy student from
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NUS, “QT sharing gives me the opportunity to be honest and transparent with myself and others about my relationship with God. It is a safe space to share personal thoughts and struggles.” Our willingness to share our burdens allow others to be vulnerable. As students and leaders open their hearts, learn to listen to one another and cast their anxieties on God, everyone in the ministry draws closer. Fellowship Demonstrates God’s Glory. The beauty of fellowshipping with God daily (vertical communion) and fellowshipping with our community (horizontal communion) is that the glory of God is manifest. Do we look at the cross and think of it as two pieces of wood? Two pieces of wood, when bound together, form a powerful symbol of what Christ has done for us and reminds us of our mission as His disciples. Our vertical and horizontal fellowships, like the axes of the cross, enable us to work with God in establishing His Kingdom on earth. In NP ministry, the daily gathering of students for sharing, meals and studies have attracted the attention of those who walk by or sit around them. The ministry’s close fellowship has allowed them to witness to those around. A lifestyle of communion 12
with God and living in community allows us to know Him and for Him to be known.
Quiet Time sharing takes place every weekday morning during school term at our five campus ministries—Nanyang Technological University (NTU), National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic (RP-NYP), Singapore Polytechnic (SP), and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic and Singapore Institute of Management (NP-TP-SIM). Through this communal activity, students develop the good practice of seeking God daily and grow closer with one another as a community.
BOTTOM: As a result of sharing their QT thoughts, students have grown deeper in their walk with God and with one another.
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BLACK, RED & WHITE by Sophie Sim-Lawrence The hall at SAFRA Mount Faber was beautifully decorated in black, red and white—the theme colours for the “Black, Red & White” Lunch Talk. This was an evangelistic event organised by the Nav-Community Ministry (NCM) on 4 November 2017. 85 people attended, of which 30 were nonChristians. Everyone spent the afternoon enjoying a buffet lunch, playing games and sharing life challenges.
Mok Chok Sun, a Nav Associate Staff with NCM, took the opportunity to testify of how God cured him of his first bout with cancer. Mok also shared that the Lord is keeping him well as he currently copes with a second battle with cancer. He is thankful that he is experiencing minimal side effects and is able to continue with his regular activities. The highlight of the event was hearing Leslie Choudhury, an international speaker, share his thoughts on “The Key to Success”. Leslie shared his life story and brought the audience on a journey that spanned his teenage to working adult years. Those years were characterised by many good decisions, thanks to the advice of a friend Leslie met when he was 12. Leslie revealed at the end of his talk that this lifelong special friend of his was Jesus. He acknowledged that all the successes he had experienced in life would not have materialised, had it not been for the guidance and providence of God.
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Why name the event “Black, Red & White” Lunch Talk? Leslie associated these colours with humanity’s sinfulness (black) and Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross (red) so that we can have hope and live life to its fullest meaning (white). Leslie came to one solid conclusion—Jesus holds the key to a successful life. Over discussions at their respective tables, guests had the opportunity to discuss life struggles and what success means to them. At the table hosted by Nesa Mannar, a member of NCM, some shared their traumatic experiences like falling from a four storey building and suffering from massive strokes, tumours and breast cancer. These guests survived those terrible ordeals and have emerged stronger and more resilient. Eventually, someone enquired about Nesa’s faith. This gave her the opportunity to share her testimony. At other tables, somebody resolved to attend church while another was introduced to a personal relationship with Christ. Seeds were sown in a friendly and natural way in this event. Pray with us that these seeds will grow and guests who attended will continue to consider what true success is.
The Navigators Community Ministry (formerly known as Alumni Community Ministry) focuses on making disciples among those aged 40 years and above. NCM often invites experienced industry leaders who are Christians to conduct seminars and workshops. Through these avenues, NCM desires to empower believers to continue sharing the Gospel, to make disciples for Christ and to finish well in life.
PAGE 14: (TOP) Mok and (BOTTOM) Leslie sharing about God’s goodness. PAGE 15: (TOP) Guests playing games at the event and (BOTTOM) having meaningful discussions.
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«N AV I GATO R S C O M M U NI T Y M I NI S T RY (N CM )» «N AV I GATO R S T W E NT I E S - T H I RT I E S (N TT)» «N AV I GATO R S I NS T I T U T E O F T E C H NI CA L EDUCAT I O N ( N AV I TE ) » «R EPU BL I C PO LY T E C H NI C + N A N YAN G PO LY T E C H NI C (R P - N Y P )» «SI N GA PO R E P O LY T E C H NI C (S P )» «N G EE AN N PO LY T E C H NI C + T E M A S E K
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«THE NAV TEENS ( TNT)» «NATIONAL UNIV ERSITY OF SINGAP ORE ( NUS) » «NANYANG TEC HNOLOG ICAL UNIV ERSITY ( NTU) » «C HURC H D ISC IP LESHIP MINISTRY ( C D M ) »
PO LY T EC H N I C + S I NGA P O RE M A NAGE M E NT UN I V ER SI T Y ( N P - TP - S I M )» «N AV T EC H » «M I SSI O N S»
16 JAN
NATIONAL DIRECTOR INSTALLATION
31 JAN
MISSIONS DAY
04 FEB
NAV ITE CHINESE NEW YEAR GIVING
23-25 FEB
DISCIPLESHIFT CONFERENCE
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13-16 MAR
STAFF FAMILY RETREAT
14 APR
TNT EVANGELISTIC GOOD FRIDAY
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01 MAY
NCM TALK BY JERRY WHITE
16-27 MAY
NTU MISSION TRIP TO JAPAN
08-11 JUN NUS DISCIPLESHIP CAMP
10 JUN
RP-NYP CANOEING AT MACRITCHIE
18 17
20 JUN
NP-TP-SIM SERVING AT ONESIMU S
23 JUN
SP AT ST.LUKE’S ELDERCARE
17
26 JUN
BLESS YOUR NEIGHBOURS EVENT
22 JUL
LABOURERS’ DAY
06-08 AUG
NTU CAMP GAMES
20-22 OCT NAVTECH AT #HACK SG EVENT
19 17
04 NOV
NP-TP-SIM PRAYING FOR NATIONS
10-11 NOV CDM ON CHURCH LIFE PLANNING
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15-16 NOV
STAFF DEVELOPMENT
09 DEC
NTT CHRISTMAS PARTY
RIGHT: Our first generation of Singapore Navigators. We are here today because they invested their lives in disciple-making. Photo taken by Jim Chew in 1965. (L-R) Philip Tan, Selene Chew, Phyllis Robertson, Roy Robertson, Han Su Kim, Tom Lee and Richard Soo
PLANNING YOUR
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LEGACY
Ever die-logued with someone before? Three years ago, the Lien Foundation commissioned a survey to examine death attitudes and preferences in Singapore, in particular current perceptions of hospice palliative care. Results revealed that Singaporeans have a growing desire for conversations about death and dying, otherwise known as “die-logues”. Though only half of the respondents have talked about death or dying with their loved ones, 71% of them saw the need for national conversations on death and dying. Shall we have a die-logue on how we, as disciples of Christ, can better plan for death and our estate? Estate planning is about life planning. The certainty of death is one of the contingencies we should plan for. A good estate plan identifies the people who are important to you and their needs; as well as your advisors to help you realise your plans. Five major areas to consider in your planning include property ownership, advisors, health care, incapacity and giving to charities. As Christ’s disciples, wise estate planning presents us with an opportunity to bring an offering to God, indicating our gratefulness for His blessings in our lifetime. David models for us what we can do with our assets at the end of life. While preparing the resources for building the temple of God, David said to all Israel, “So I have provided for the house of my God, so far as I was able ... in addition to all that I have provided for the holy house, I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, and because of my devotion to the house of my
by Royston Koh Director of Development Ministry God I give it to the house of my God ... Who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself today to the LORD?” (1 Chronicles 29: 2-4 ESV) When we plan our estate wisely, we ensure that our hard-earned assets count for eternity as they are used to advance the Gospel and God’s Kingdom. This planning helps us to end well. It is obligated on us who are well-endowed to ensure that wise and responsible planning will result in meeting the needs of those we care most for, as well as assuring relational harmony subsequently. “Those we care most for” would certainly include ministries that are close to our hearts. Since 1962, The Navigators Singapore has been advancing the Gospel as labourers living and discipling among the lost. As a result of this dedication, countless lives have been changed. Would you prayerfully consider leaving a legacy that will benefit future generations so that more lives can be touched? You can include The Navigators Singapore in your will by leaving a bequest in your estate planning. This can be done in a number of ways: • • •
Designate all or a portion of the residue, after other gifts to your loved ones has been fulfilled Allocate a specific amount to be given to The Navigators Singapore Specify a percentage of your estate for The Navigators Singapore
Should you need help in making a will or estate planning, kindly email admin@navigators.org.sg.