harvest force 2014 issue 3

Do You Know… Partner Churches l 认识何为伙伴教会

True Disciple l 真正的门徒

A Balancing Act l 平衡

Partnership in the Gospel l 同心合意兴旺福音

Partnership in the Gospel

HARVEST FORCE CONNECTS YOU WITH THE METHODIST MISSIONS SOCIETYwww.mms.org.sg l www.facebook.com/mms.org.sg l www.twitter.com/mms_tweets

ISSUE THREE 2014 l MCI(P) 023/11/2014

Focus: Partner Churches

01 EDITORIAL

• Comparison vs Cooperation

02FIRST WORD

• Partnership in the Gospel

04 WATZ UP!

• Teach-to-Reach 2015

• MMS Photo Contest #3

• Mission Trips

• MMS Missions Course

• Opportunities to Serve

07 DO YOU KNOW?

• Do You Know… Partner Churches

ContentsPartnership in the GospelI always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel…

Philippians 1:4-5 (NIV)

If you have a testimony or a lesson learnt regarding missions, why not send it to us so that we can share it in the Harvest

Force. We welcome your letters, photos, news of mission-related events, testimonies, comments, feedback and suggestion.

Please email or send them to 70 Barker Road #06-01 The Methodist Centre Singapore 309936, together with your name,

church name, email address and contact number. To share your mission trip experiences in Harvest Force, just use this simple

approach – Less Words, More Photos. For more details, please email [email protected]. Please note that your articles

may be edited for length, style and clarity.

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16 (NIV)

10 FIELD FEATURES

CAMBODIA• Missions Exists Because

Worship Doesn’t

LAOS• CIP in SMS Laos

THAILAND• Follow Him – Youth Camp

2014

VIETNAM• The City through the Eyes of

a Pilgrim• MMS awarded for Significant

Contribution

29 MITE REPORT

• True Disciple

• New Friendship through MITE

• Wonderful Experiences in COSI

38 IN OTHER WORDS

• PERSPECTIVES – Expansion of our Vision

40 PROFILE• Introducing Country

Coordinating Officers

42 A CLOSING THOUGHT

• A Balancing Act

Srey Mom (left) and Malis (right) of Emmaus Women’s Centre, Cambodia, doing their part in planting seeds.

Photo taken by Clarice Lee, Toa Payoh Methodist Church

19 HOME HAPPENINGS

• MMS Family

• Memorandum of Understanding

• Mission Awareness

• MMS Photo Contest #2 Results

• MMS Missionary Retreat 2014

• Inaugural MMS Missionary Training

• MMS Missions Rally

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are delaying the printing of the last two parts of the essay “Exploring Innovations, Impacts, and Implications of New Communications and Media Development” by Dr Calvin Chong. It will be continued in a future issue of HF. Our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused.

2 | HARVEST FORCE

Comparison vs CooperationAs my second son, Tadd, grows older, it is

getting more and more apparent that he is

different from his older brother, Asher. At the

age of four now, Tadd is more of an extrovert

who is more talkative and expressive, and he

speaks his mind. And he also loves books and

is able to regurgitate many stories to us. His

story books are all over his mattress at night. But

unlikely Asher, he is not too good at writing his

ABCs and colouring within the lines yet.

Instead of comparing their strengths and

weaknesses, we were reminded that they too

can complement each other. When Asher

was having a fight with his cousin, Tadd would

stand up for his brother. When Tadd was stuck

and could not ride his bicycle up a slope,

Asher would give him a gentle prod. These little

actions never fails to put smiles on our faces.

Paul reminds us too of a similar kind of

cooperation in 1 Corinthians 3. One plants

and another waters. We are co-workers in

God’s service. It is in the mission harvest fields,

that we all the more need one another. MMS

is merely the mission arm of The Methodist

Church in Singapore. Without the Missionaries,

the work cannot be done. Without our Partner

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.

NOVEMBER 2014

ADVISOR Rev Philip Lim

EDITOR Kam Leong Heng

CHINESE EDITORIAL Goh Tuan Gee

TRANSLATORS Leidia Tan, Licia Yeo, Ng Hsu-Fen, Veronica Chua

PROOFREADER Wendy Tan

PHOTO CREDITS Ailene Chou, Aloke Sahu, Amy Yam, Carol Ong, Clarice Lee, JC, Jeremy Tan, John Seah, John Thirawat, Jonathan Huang, Justin Tan, LHC, Samuel See, Tanya Ong

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

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 Email: [email protected] Website: www.mms.org.sg

Churches, the work cannot

be effective. Find out more

about Partner Churches on

page 7.

Missions is not a one-man

or one-organisation’s

job. It is the work of a

partnership through

which God’s work

is fulfilled and His

glory shown. Partner

Churches perform

significant roles by

providing much-needed

supports in terms of

prayer and resources.

MMS appreciates your

continued support in

missions – by praying,

participating and giving

financially to reach those

whom Jesus dies to redeem.

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my

prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your

partnership in the gospel from the first day until now…”

(Philippians 1:3-5, NIV)

EDITORIAL | 1 2 | HARVEST FORCE

Partnership in the Gospel

In his letter to the church in Philippi, the first thing Paul

told the church was that he prayed for them. And that

his heart was full of joy and thanksgiving especially for

their active participation in his ministry of the Gospel. He

said, “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy

because of your partnership in the gospel from the first

day until now…” (Philippians 1:4-5, NIV).

On average, I write a report once every two months. While

I am not at all enthusiastic about writing reports, I view it as

an opportunity to review the work. When I do so, I am able

see many churches and individuals partnering with us in

our work.

I am very appreciative of your active participations. Your

involvements bring us one step closer to achieving our

VISION, that is, to unite the Methodist Community in Singapore to plant 800 new indigenous, financially self–supporting, disciple-making and multiplying churches by 2020.

I was thrilled to learn that recently our doctors conducted

a medical camp in a village in East Nepal. Subsequently,

our evangelist followed up by visiting one of the families.

Over tea, they discussed the Bible and he prayed for the

family. This small act has developed into a small group of

pre-believers meeting regularly today!

Still in Nepal, I am pleased to report that Wesley Bardan

Methodist Church and The Methodist Centre building

project in Kathmandu has been completed. Bishop

Dr Wee Boon Hup, Bishop of The Methodist Church in

Singapore, has dedicated the church on 13 October 2014.

Over at Gleno in Timor-Leste, we are about to

commence construction of the Student Hostel

shortly. You can read more about the story in

our last issue of Harvest Force (2014 issue 2). It

will take about 12 months to complete.

Indeed, our work is growing. And we thank

God for His invitation to be part of what He

is in doing. These projects cannot be done

by MMS alone. The partner churches play

important roles by providing resources and

prayer. Hence, we need every member, local

church and Annual Conference to work in

partnership with us.

I appeal to you for your continued support in

the work of missions.

Here’s wishing you a Blessed Christmas.

Rev Philip LimMMS Executive Director

“These projects cannot be done by MMS alone.

The partner churches play important roles...”

2 | HARVEST FORCE

同心合意兴旺福音保罗在写给腓立比教会的信中，第一件事就告诉教会他为他们祷告。他也说

他的心充满喜悦和感恩，尤其因为他们积极参与他的福音事工。他说，“每逢

为你们众人祈求的时候，常是欢欢喜喜地祈求；因为从头一天直到如今，你们

是同心合意地兴旺福音。”(腓立比书1:4-5)

我平均每两个月写一份报告。虽然我不是非常热衷于写报告，但我视这为一个

检讨工作的机会。这么做的同时也让我能看到许多教会和个别肢体在事工上

与我们建立伙伴关系。

很感激您的积极参与。您的参与使我们拉近了我们与异象的距离。这个异象

就是凝聚新加坡的卫理社体在2020年前植立800间经济独立800，装备并倍

增门徒的本土教会。

最近我们的医生在尼泊尔东部的一个村庄做医疗卫生服侍的后续带给我们

很大的鼓舞。宣教士在活动结束后跟进做了家访。喝茶闲聊时，他们讨论圣

经，宣教士也为他们的家人祷告。这么简单的关爱今天已促成一个慕道友的

定期聚会！

再向大家汇报尼泊尔的另一则喜讯。在加尔满都的卫理中心和卫斯理卫理公

会的建筑已竣工，由新加坡卫理公会黄文合会督在2014年10月13日主持献

堂礼。

我们在东帝汶格兰奴的学生宿舍不久后将开始动土。想知道更多有关学生宿

舍的事，您可参阅上一期的丰收（2014年第2期）。这项工程将需要一年左右

的时间才能完成。

感谢神，事工不断在扩大，在成长，因为神一直在当中掌权，并让我们有份参

与。没有神的同在，单凭卫宣是绝对无法完成这一切。此外，伙伴教会也扮演

很重要的角色，不断提供资源并以祷告支持。因此，我们确实需要卫理宗的

每个会友，本地教会和三个年议会的扶持。

期待您持续在福音禾场的事工上与我们同心同行。

在这充满温馨、喜悦的日子，祝您及家人圣诞蒙恩。

林建隆牧师

卫理宣教会执行主任

FIRST WORD | 3 2 | HARVEST FORCE

Teach-to-Reach 2015The course intends to equip non teachers

with the basic skills in the teaching of English.

Through activities, participants will learn of fun

ways to teach English to children and adults

who have little or no knowledge of English.

Topics included in the workshops are:

• What is teaching and learning?

• Managing teaching and learning

• Oral Communication Skills

• Reading Skills

• Writing Skills

• Teaching Vocabulary

At the end of the course, participants are

expected to design lesson plans/activities for

the teaching of English.

If you are thinking of going on a short or long

term mission trip and are not sure how you

may serve the LORD, this is a course for you.

The teaching of English is a powerful platform

to reach out to non-believers.

Cambodia [email protected]

East Asia [email protected]

Laos [email protected]

Nepal [email protected]

Thailand [email protected]

Timor-Leste [email protected]

Vietnam [email protected]

MISSION Trips

MMS Photo Contest #3

If you are interested to organise or join a mission trip, or simply to find out more, please email to the

respective Country Coordinating Officers at these email addresses:

MMS is organising a third Photo Contest. Send in your photos and stand a chance to win cash

prizes. The theme is “Light of the World”. Email to [email protected] by 31 December 2014. Check out MMS website and Facebook page for more information. Also, do keep a

lookout for MMS Photo Contest #4.

Date: 6 January to 3 March 2015 (8 sessions, every Tuesday)

Time: 7.30pm to 9.30pm

Venue: The Methodist Centre @ 70 Barker Road

Singapore 309936

Maximum number of participants: 24

Minimum number of participants: 12

Closing date for registration: 15 December 2014

Cost: $250 per participant

Facilitators: The team comprises members of the MMS

Education Committee who have conducted similar

training courses in MMS related schools and churches

within and outside Singapore. The lead trainer has been a

teacher and teacher trainer.

Interested participants, please contact MMS office at

6478 4818, email [email protected] or download

registration form from www.mms.org.sg.

4 | HARVEST FORCE4 | HARVEST FORCE

Continue next page...

MMS Missions Course: Building Bridges with People of Different Religious Worldviews

This session provides a basic understanding of Eastern

Religions, and examples of how aspects of these faiths

can be redeemed as bridges to the sharing of the gospel.

It will be held on 31 January 2015 (Saturday), 9am to

3.30pm, at Kum Yan Methodist Church. Fee is $28, inclusive

of tea and lunch.

The speakers are Dr Jeanette Hui and Dr Ashok Kumar.

Dr Hui lectures on Asian Religions at the Discipleship

Training Centre. She is also a local preacher of the

Methodist Church in Singapore, and worships at

Opportunities to SERVEIN THE FIELDThe 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 full-

time missionaries to join them!

They are asking the Lord to send

pastors, church planters, school

principals, administrators and

English language teachers.

Our second prayer is for business

people and professional who are

willing to leave the comforts of

Singapore and base themselves in

the region. We would like to train

you to coach national pastors

and co-workers in the market place.

Our third request is for short term

workers who are willing to spend

between two weeks to six months

at their own expenses helping

one of our missionaries.

Our last 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: 1. Tell your pastor and ask him/her

to help check 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 you 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.

CAMBODIA• An ordained pastor to mentor

and to provide pastoral care,

support and leadership to the

Cambodian pastors, ministry

works and missionaries serving

in Cambodia.

• A married couple or mature

female missionary to support

the COSI Children’s Village.

• 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).

EAST ASIA • Qualified English teacher to

conduct and teach English

classes, and organise English

camps in Nanchang.

• Church leaders and trainers

to train and equip National

Workers on church planting and

discipleship training in Henan,

Fujian, Shanghai, Nanchang

and An Hui training centres.

• A full-time missionary to help

out in conducting English

classes in Stamford Consultancy

Nanchang and Fuzhou.

• A local church to partner and

support the newly established

preaching points.

• A missionary pastor to serve

as regional director to fulfil the

vision and strategy for East Asia.

NEPAL• A missionary pastor to serve as

Country Director and teaching

staff at Caleb Bible Institute in

Barker Road Methodist Church. Dr Kumar has

been involved in missions for more than 25

years with Operation Mobilization in India,

Singapore and the OM ship M.V. Doulos. He

obtained the Doctor of Ministry from Gordon

Conwell Theological Seminary, Boston, USA.

Please download and print registration form

from www.mms.org.sg.

WATZ UP! | 5 4 | HARVEST FORCE4 | HARVEST FORCE

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 trainers

for Sophia’s Home on short field assignments.

THAILAND• Full-time teachers with teaching degree or diploma

who are interested in teaching Mandarin at Vineyard

Methodist School.

• A school principal to oversee the staffing needs,

proficiency, curriculum and development at Vineyard

Methodist School.

• A local church to partner and support new MOT

candidates and newly established preaching points in

Central Thailand.

VIETNAM • Mission teams to visit the Sunlight Shelter and Sunrise

Shelter.

LAOS• Two experienced teachers to serve as missionaries in

Singapore Mission School.

• Volunteer architect to supervise the school building

project under the MMS Building, Construction and

Maintenance Committee (BCM).

TIMOR-LESTE• Medical teams to support ministry in Ermera District,

especially to provide training seminars for Timorese

doctors.

• Full-time missionaries or missionary couples to support

disciple training and community development.

AT HOMEYou 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.

PRAYER COMMITTEE• Be our MMS Prayer Country Coordinator, intercessors

and supporter to intercede for missionaries and mission

work in various fields.

LOGISTICSHelp to prepare the logistics for training courses:

audio-visual aids, course notes, registration, and light

refreshments. Please email [email protected]

to indicate if you can help on one or more of these dates:

• 31 Jan 2015 (Sat): 9.30am – 4.30pm

Kum Yan Methodist Church

• 21 Mar 2015 (Sat): 9.00am – 12.00nn

• 17 Apr 2015 (Fri): 7.15pm – 9.45pm

• 18 Apr 2015 (Sat): 2.00pm – 5.30pm

• 24 Apr 2015 (Fri): 7.15pm – 9.45pm

• 25 Apr 2015 (Sat): 2.00pm – 5.30pm

• 16 May 2015 (Sat): 9.00am – 12.00nn

COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS• Be an English-Chinese translator.

• Be a photographer.

• Help to set up MMS mission exhibition booth.

OFFICE ASSISTANCE• Be our MMS Trainer and Event Coordinator.

MISSION-TRIP COORDINATOR• Be a Mission-Trip Coordinator to assist in briefing and

debriefing the mission teams to achieve optimal

preparations and mission fulfilment and benefits.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE• Be a sponsor through the Student Sponsorship Schemes.

Please refer to page 25.

For more information about all these opportunities, kindly

email [email protected]. Be in prayer with us as we

seek God’s direction to challenge and mobilise Methodist

people to serve with MMS.


Do You Know… Partner Churches

What is a Partner Church?A Partner Church is one that covenants with MMS over

a stipulated period of time in fulfilling our vision, goals

and commitment in the mission field, and aims to work

together towards:

• Sending or calling missionaries

• Adopting a church, person or project

• Sending mission teams

• Praying for the missionaries, church or project adopted

• Observing Missions Sunday

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my

prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of

your PARTNERSHIP IN THE GOSPEL from the first day until

now, being confident of this, that He who began a good

work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of

Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:3-6, NIV)

Why be an MMS Partner Church?• To focus limited missions resources and maximising their

potential

• To establish a longer term missions strategy

Expectation of a Partner ChurchA Partner Church can LOVE:

L – Loyalty to God, to the task and to MMS.

O – Obedience to what God has called to do and seek

diligently to accomplish with His strength and power.

V – Verification and clarifications in times of uncertainty

because the partnership is a long process and

communication has to be opened so that both the

Partner Church and MMS are constantly aware of the

happenings at home and in the field.

E – Expectancy of God’s hand at work to do great and

mighty things.

DO YOU KNOW? | 7 6 | HARVEST FORCE

Ministries pending a Partner ChurchPlease consider partnering with MMS in the following

areas:

CAMBODIA• Phum Thmei Methodist Church

• Boeung Kok Methodist Church

• Steng Hav Methodist Church

• Kampong Som Methodist Church

• Girls’ Brigade (Methodist School of Cambodia)

EAST ASIA• International Christian Fellowship @ Jiading

• Changzhou PP

• West 1 PP*

• West 2 PP*

• Fuzhou Learning Centre

* Contact us to find out more

THAILAND• Grace of God Methodist Church

• Roi-et Preaching Point

• Sup-Charoen Preaching Point

• Nong Gothong Preaching Point

• Nong Satit Preaching Point

• Udon Thani Preaching Point

• Wang Nam Keow Preaching Point

• Genesis Methodist Church

• Vineyard Methodist School

(Kindergarten & Primary)

• Vineyard Childcare Centre (Nursery)

• Rangsit Crematorium

TIMOR-LESTE• Health Care Ministry @ Ermera

• Student Hostel @ Gleno

• Methodist School @ Dili

VIETNAM• International Christian Fellowship @

HCMC (partnership in terms of prayer and

encouragement)

8 | HARVEST FORCE

认识何为伙伴教会

伙伴教会是什么？

伙伴教会是指与卫理宣教会立约，在特定时段与卫宣携手落实异象，并肩承

担使命、委身宣教拓展事工的教会。

可以通过以下途径实践契约：

• 差遣或呼召宣教士到卫宣的禾场

• 领养一个教会，宣教士或特定项目

• 差派宣教队

• 为宣教士，当地教会或认领的特定项目祷告

• 设定卫宣主日

“我每逢想念你们，就感谢我的神；每逢为你们众人祈求的时候，常是欢欢喜

喜的祈求。因为从头一天直到如今，你们是同心合意的兴旺福音。我深信那在

你们心里动了善工的，必成全这工，直到耶稣基督的日子。”

（腓立比1：3-6）

为什么要成为伙伴教会？

• 集中有限的宣教资源以发挥最大的潜能

• 设立一个长远的宣教策略

伙伴教会的期望

伙伴教会可以通过以下的步骤成为充满爱的教会：

• 忠诚：忠心于神忠坚任务忠信卫宣

• 顺服：顺从神的心意，并全心全意靠着神的大能去成就一切

• 沟通：合作将是个很长的过程，对不确定的事务需要双方持续坦诚沟

通，才能了解彼此的境况并禾场的动态。

• 期待：期待神在宣教地区亲自动工，彰显祂的大能。

如何成为伙伴教会？

• 祷告：寻求上帝对认领的国家，项目，宣教士或族群的心意和方向。

• 沟通：定期与卫宣的教会联系副主任沟通，跟进了解当前及即将进行的

项目及禾场动态。

• 抉择：多番祷告后锁定认领或赞助的对象：国家，项目，宣教士及族群。

实地去视察并收集资料。

• 行动：制定目标与计划，如祷告，装备与培训，差派宣教队及参与项目

等。也需要制作预算，在教会中传递异象与需要获取支援。定期

检讨与跟进。

• 备忘录：选定日期让卫宣与堂会签署备忘录。

How to be a Partner Church?• Pray: Seek God’s will and direction for the

country, project, missionary or people-

group to adopt and support.

• Explore: Speak with the Assistant Director

of Church Relations ([email protected].

sg) for an updated and complete picture

of the current and upcoming projects and

work in the field(s).

• Select: Pray and decide on the country,

project, missionary or people-group to

adopt and support. Make a visit to see and

understand the place, and gather more

information.

• Partnership Working Agreement: Set

the objectives and action plans including

praying, equipping and training, mission

team and projects. Budget for financial

support. Communicate plans to church for

support. Review, discuss and update on

progress.

• Memorandum of Understanding: Set

a date for MOU signing of a partnership

covenant between MMS and the Partner

Church.

Church expresses interest to MMS

Church interacts and discusses with MMS

Church decides with MMS on partnership

Church signs MOU with MMS

Church becomes MMS Partner Church

to pray for, partner and participate with MMS

DO YOU KNOW? | 9 8 | HARVEST FORCE

This trip to Cambodia in March 2014 gave

me a renewed vision of our purpose here on

earth. It reminded me of the very essence

of missions, that is, missions exists because

worship doesn’t.

The Cambodians outwardly exhibit a

positive and cheerful spirit. Yet, like an

incomplete jigsaw puzzle, there seems to be

a missing piece within. I read about how the

Cambodians try to blank out the horrendous

history of the Khmer Rouge. I wonder if they

are so hurt inside but are unable to find an

outlet to cope with the overwhelming sense of

loss to release the torment in their souls. I pray

that they would be able to find a way out one

day so as to exchange their despair for hope,

hurt for healing, and chains for freedom. May

they be set free from the past hurts and pains,

and embrace a new beginning.

Looking at the majestic temples, statues and

palaces, it is clear that the current state is far

from the great glory and wealth they used to

enjoy. In fact, the impoverished country seems

to have a long road to recovery. We can

play our part to reach out to this nation in a

holistic approach – spiritually, emotionally and

physically.

Missions Exists Because Worship Doesn’t

In Emmaus Women’s Centre (EWC), I got in touch with

a group of girls who are blessed by this ministry to learn

a practical life skill so that they can help support their

families. Most of them are in their early twenties, with

not much education and could possibly end up doing

menial work as house helpers or factory workers to

earn a living. EWC provides a way for them to improve

themselves so that they can apply for higher skilled jobs

such as hair dressing, sewing and pedicure services. Yet

there are not many girls who would join this one-year long

stay-in programme. This is because participating in this

programme would mean one year without income for the

family.

Carol Ong, MMS Missionary, revealed that the ladies may

take some time to share especially with unfamiliar people.

We carried out our pre-planned programmes with that in

mind. But God had prepared the way for us to open up to

one another in the short time we spent together. And I was

transported into a world where beauty arises from ashes.

There was a girl who almost did not manage to

come because her family depends on her

to work to support the family financially.

However, through her adversities, she

realised the importance of education

to lead a better life. She was unable

to read or write because her parents

did not enrol her in a school but that

“When we see God glorified in poverty, the

fragrance of God is manifested in that place.”

10 | HARVEST FORCE

Missions Exists Because Worship Doesn’t

What is Emmaus Women’s Centre?EWC is a place that provides spiritual, vocational, and

educational training for impoverished young women

(between 13 and 25 years old). Upon completion of

the 12-month residential training programme, they will

be equipped in biblical discipleship and livelihood

skills.

They are trained in Dress-making, Spiritual

development, Literacy in Khmer and Math, English

and Chinese, Cooking & Baking.

EWC will be starting an ecolodge early next year

which will be income-generating, providing income

for the girls while they train with us in livelihood skills.

Many young girls are dropping out of school as early

as 13 years old to go to work in the factories, due to

poverty in the family. Conditions in the factories are

usually difficult resulting in many falling ill as a result.

Therefore, to have an ecolodge in EWC will enable

girls to work and have an income, and at the same

time be able to learn livelihood skills, and come

to know Jesus Christ. The ecolodge is designed to

provide simple basic accommodation to Overseas

Community Involvement Programme (OCIP) students

from Singapore schools.

You can help by praying for the women, or visiting

EWC to teach English or Chinese or share the Word

of God, or run workshops or give talks on Spiritual

Development, Character Development and other life

skills. Please contact us to find out more information.

To donate towards EWC, please refer to page 25.

did not stop her from a strong motivation to learn and

improve herself. Today, she is in EWC to learn sewing so

that she can have a livelihood in a trade, with the hope

that she can better contribute to her family. Despite her

family’s financial needs, she was able to see beyond those

needs and even shared with us her passion to do village

outreach.

That humbled me. Despite her needs, she was not looking

inward and feeling despair. Instead, she was at the very

heart of God’s agenda to reach souls for His kingdom.

How often those of us who have so much still do not yet

have the fervour and time to reach out? I saw beauty in

poverty. Poverty is not a pretty sight but when we see God

glorified in poverty, the fragrance of God is manifested in

that place.

Her example challenges me to live even more simply;

even more below my means so that more of the riches of

God may be used for His kingdom. Often times we can

do with less to have more. Indeed, I see a glimpse of what

it means when Paul said it is more blessed to give than to

receive. If one who is in need can still give out of her lack,

how much more can those who have plenty give out of

their abundance?

Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Each day passed is

a day closer to the Lord’s return. Missions is the only activity

we can now do here on earth that we cannot do in the

next world to come. Will we choose to be counted for in

God’s missional plan to reach the nations for Jesus?

JCToa Payoh Methodist Church

FIELD FEATURE • CAMBODIA | 11

22 secondary students and four teachers from

the Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), or

ACS(I) for short, visited the Singapore Mission

School in Laos (SMS Laos) as part of their

Community Involvement Programme (CIP).

Led by Mr Jonas Chow, the team spent

two rather hot summer days (21 and 22

May 2014) helping out with various tasks

at the school, and facilitating some

games and activities for the children.

One of the major activities the ACS(I)

team was tasked with was to take out

the sand from the school sandpit, sift it to

remove pebbles and debris, and wash the

sand before putting it back in. “The sand had

not been cleaned since we got it four years

ago, and the ACS(I) students did a really good

job of washing it,” said Ms Wong Peck San,

a volunteer consultant and teacher at the

school. “It was very helpful.”

CIP in SMS Laos

“I was impressed by their workmanlike attitude.”

12 | HARVEST FORCE

Apart from washing the sand, the students from ACS(I)

whitewashed parts of the school perimeter wall and

helped paint a beach-themed mural on the wall by the

sandpit. Some students sewed new elastic waistbands

onto the children’s PE shorts and repaired a cardboard

playhouse in the school. They also spent some time

reading short stories to the children and playing games

with the children in the schoolyard.

On the afternoon of the first day, the team had a briefing

session where they were introduced to some of the SMS

Laos teachers and heard from the directors about how the

school was started. They also got to ask some questions

about the school, as well as about life in Laos.

This is the first CIP team from ACS(I) to have visited Laos.

Mrs Lesley Yeow, the director of the Singapore Mission

School in Laos, said, “I was impressed by their workmanlike

attitude, their sincerity in wanting to help, and their

thoroughness, especially when they cleaned up after

themselves! They were also a very well-behaved and

pleasant bunch. The teachers wisely gave them room

to do things as they saw fit, and they did not betray that

trust.”

Aloke SahuTeacher of Singapore Mission School in Laos

What is SMS Laos?SMS Laos is an English-medium school that caters

mainly for the Laotian, starting from Nursery to Primary

School. It offers a Singapore and Lao curriculum.

Currently, there are 29 students from middle-class

families, and a team of international and local

staff. SMS Laos aims to provide holistic education in

English and Lao for the coming generations of Lao

people who will possess the right moral, mental and

educational upbringing to positively influence their

community and country through excellent service in

all sectors of society.

At present, it is raising funds for a new extension block

at the current school premise. It hopes to add in

more classrooms to increase the enrolment. Its next

milestone is to be ready for the Year 6 primary school

leaving examinations.

Contact us if you wish to visit SMS Laos – to encourage

and pray with the staff, or help out in various tasks in

the school. To donate to the school building project,

please refer to page 25.

FIELD FEATURE • LAOS | 13 12 | HARVEST FORCE

We thank God for a successful youth camp

that was filled with happiness, joy and fun.

The young people from our various churches

in the Northern District were full of smiles. We

thank Him for His guidance and blessings.

The working committee worked well together

in organising the camp without any major

problems. It was a good turnout with 84

youth ranging from Secondary 1 students

to University undergraduates. There was

an atmosphere of spiritual edification that

compelled our youth to want to live a life of

following Jesus in their daily life.

The theme was “Follow Him” as we hope to

build our youth in their Christian life to be

followers of God. To achieve that, a team

from Youth For Christ (YFC) was invited to bring

in messages and activities that would be

beneficial and important for the youth.

Follow Him

“The camp had affirmed to me that I want to follow Christ regardless of the circumstances in life, whether good or bad.”

– Youth Camp 2014

14 | HARVEST FORCE

The team illustrated the life of a Christian using the Wheel

of Christian Life. They taught the importance of intimacy

with God through prayer and the Word, fellowship with

fellow human beings, witnessing the Gospel, and obeying

God. All these lessons are practical and can be readily

applied into their daily life of following God.

One of the highlights of the camp was when the campers

were given lighted candles to form a cross on the tables.

The campers were reminded that they are lights in the

midst of a dark world.

The camp was held from 15 to 17 April at the Wan Than

Resort in Chiang Mai. There is a good-sized hall for

group activities, a swimming pool, a big canteen and

open spaces for outdoor activities. The rooms also are

comfortable. We thank God that we had enough income

to run the camp. We appreciate MCA, various churches

and individuals who gave financially for the camp.

It is our prayer that the youth will continue to remember

the lessons learnt at the camp and apply them into their

daily life as good disciples of Christ. May they follow and

obey Him. May they be good witnesses for Christ and be

good examples in their respective churches. May they be

strong in their faith and faithful in serving God.

Rev Chinnakorn SaenkasaPastor-in-charge of Shineforth Methodist Church

Testimonies from the campers“The camp was fun and exciting. It was good to meet

up friends from the other churches. I was encouraged

by the activities, teachings and worship. I am

determined to worship and praise God, and to follow

Him.”

“I thank God for the camp “Follow Him”. I learnt from

the messages that God does not forsake or leave

me but He is with me always. God has invited me to

walk with Him (Luke 9:23). The camp had affirmed

to me that I want to follow Christ regardless of the

circumstances in life, whether good or bad. I will follow

Him always because God promised that He will not

forsake me.”

FIELD FEATURE • THAILAND | 15 14 | HARVEST FORCE

The City through the Eyes of a Pilgrim

“The going may be tough but as we fix our eyes on Jesus, He will lead each

one of us and guide us in His ways.”

ReflectionAfter spending six weeks in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), I am thankful to

God that I have settled down and got to know more people in the big

International Christian Fellowship (ICF)-HCMC family.

The people in ICF-HCMC are always so warm towards one another,

joyful and ready to chip in to help to ensure that everything is in order

for every worship service on Sunday. Being an international community

of believers, many people who come to worship here are rather

transient. Their time in ICF-HCMC very much depend on the duration

of their job postings. Nevertheless, this community is very much united

whereby everyone looks out and cares for one another.

During the first few weeks, I visited a Nigerian brother called Samuel

who has been here for over three years and is married to a local

Vietnamese. They just had their second child, Daniel. Samuel works

as an English teacher to support the family. While sharing about his

journey, challenges and desires to start a small business, Samuel

always has a radiant smile on his face that displays the hope, trust and

faith he has in God. The going may be tough but as we fix our eyes on

Jesus, He will lead each one of us and guide us in His ways.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of

witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so

easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out

for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For

the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and

sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

(Hebrews 12:1-2, NIV)

I have had the great opportunity to interact with different people of

different nationalities and hear their stories on what brought them

here to Vietnam. In His miraculous ways, God always brings an answer

to their struggles in His divine timing. As I hear the weekly ICF-HCMC

sermons on the “Attributes of God”, touching on His sovereignty,

holiness, unfailing love, justice and righteous, it only drills in deeper into

me that our God is indeed an awesome God who reigns in the midst of

our problems, challenges and all that is happening around the world.

We just need to fix our eyes on Him.

As I walk the streets of Vietnam and travel on a “Xe Om” (Motorbike

Taxi), it has allowed me to observe, experience and hear the locals

share about their daily life in their limited English. Everyone works hard

and many of the locals come across as people who are resilient,

probably due to the history of Vietnam and how it has evolved over

the past few decades. The people may look stern at times but most

are friendly and always willing to help.

16 | HARVEST FORCE

The City through the Eyes of a PilgrimThe median age of the country is 26.4 years old.

Everywhere I go, I see many young people around. On

weekends, a lot of them gather to chat away along the

streets. I pray that many of them will come to know Jesus.

And for the next two months here, I pray that the Lord

will bring more opportunities to relate to the locals, and

that I will be a blessing to the ICF-HCMC community and

everywhere I go.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.”

(John 14:6, NIV)

CelebrationOn 22 June 2014, the community of believers at ICF–

HCMC celebrated its 4th Anniversary. It was indeed a

glorious and joyous day. God has been faithful in many

ways over the past four years as ICF-HCMC grew.

As I stepped into the church about an hour before the

service commenced, I could already see that the worship

team was busy practicing and running through the songs

for the morning’s worship. The sound and video team

came much earlier to set up the sound system to ensure

that everything was in order and ready for the morning

practice. The greeters were there to put the bibles at the

pews, arranging the chairs and ready to welcome the

people. And those in charge of the fellowship table got

the refreshments ready. It was such a wonderful sight

to behold brothers and sisters coming from different

countries serving the Lord in love. In the blink of an eye, the

empty pews were quickly filled up as worshippers came

streaming in.

The worship was vibrant as praises and thanksgivings

were lifted up to the Lord for His grace and favour upon

ICF-HCM for the past four years. It was an honour to have

Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup grace this occasion and share

the Word of God with the people. The sermon “Strong in

Grace” was taken from 2 Timothy 2:1-7. Using the metaphor

of the grace needed for soldier, athlete and farmer,

he encouraged the congregation to be obedient and

diligent in serving the Lord. God will provide the grace that

is sufficient for us. Indeed, may the members of ICF-HCMC

continue to draw from the grace that is in Christ Jesus

while serving Him in love.

Justin Tan Yishun Methodist Mission

FIELD FEATURE • VIETNAM | 17 16 | HARVEST FORCE

MMS awarded for Significant Contribution

The HCMC People’s Committee awarded Certificate

of Merit to two individuals and seven foreign NGOs. The

Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (or

in short, HUFO) also awarded the Certificates of Merit to

seven companies, three individuals, and 26 iNGOs for their

support in humanitarian work in HCMC. HUFO is grateful to

all participating iNGOs.

The contributions made by MMS to the Orphanages and

Hospital come under Non-Project Programmes. And HUFO

presented a Certificate of Commendation to MMS-NGO.

This award was for significant contribution towards the

poor and needy in these past few years. Indeed, this is a

testimony of God’s favour!

HUFO is the social-political organisation under the

leadership of the HCMC Party Committee and the HCMC

People’s Committee. It works as the bridge to support and

collaborate with other foreign organisations in designing

and implementing the cooperative programmes in

culture, education, economy, commerce, tourism

and technology etc. It also has close relations with the

International Non-Governmental Organisations (iNGOs).

HUFO held its annual meeting on 10 June 2014. The

purpose was to review its cooperation with iNGOs, and

to honour those that have made remarkable contribution

to in the past years. It also took the opportunity to

introduce a list of other programmes and projects,

and called for supports.

Mr Phung Cong Dung, Vice Chairman of HUFO reported

that there were 142 iNGOs registered with them in 2013.

HCMC People’s Committee approved the receiving

of about US$ 42.3 million for Project Programmes, and

another US$ 38.3 million for Non-Project Programmes

for 2013.

LHCInternational Christian Fellowship

“Indeed, this is a testimony of God’s favour!”

Girls from WOCA performing a traditional dance item. (MMS supported 2 of their 7 shelters)

18 | HARVEST FORCE

JZ of Faith MC has been appointed to be a Missionary in East Asia

with effect from 1 August 2014. He will be involved in the International

Christian Fellowship in SH. Low Wee Teck of Aldersgate MC has left

for Cambodia to be a Missionary serving in the Methodist School

of Cambodia and the Boys’ Brigade from 1 September 2014. We

welcome both of them. Please uphold them in your prayers for God’s

strength, protection and grace.

Emily Loo of Ang Mo Kio MC was commissioned by Bishop Dr Wee

Boon Hup on 20 July 2014. She serves in the COSI Children’s Village in

Cambodia. Jacob Cheng was also commissioned by Bishop on 27 July

2014 at Trinity MC. He is our Country Director for Cambodia. May God

grant them His favour and the favour of men as they serve Him.

We thank the Lord for these Partner Churches for sending out

Missionaries into the harvest fields!

We bid farewell to Violet Khor, from Trinity MC, on 31 July 2014. She

served as the Principal of the Methodist School of Cambodia from

2011. During her term, she has trained many teachers, instilled

discipline amongst the pupils, and challenged our young teachers to

On 1 May 2014, an MOU was established with

Ang Mo Kio MC in providing financial support

for Emily Loo who is a Missionary in Cambodia.

Charis MC signed an MOU with MMS to

support Sanphranet MC in Thailand for a year

with effort from 11 May 2014.

An MOU was signed with Christ MC in support

of the ministry at Krang Svay MC in Cambodia

from 1 August 2014 to 31 July 2015.

MMS Family

Memorandum of Understanding Thank God for these Partner churches!

take pride in their profession as teachers and

to attend devotion regularly. Benjamin Lee

from Full Gospel Assembly Church has taken

over the baton from Violet. Since 2012, he was

running the Alpha Omega Education Centre

in Phnom Penh. He applied for the post of

principal and the school board selected him.

His passion is to use education as a means

to extend God’s kingdom. We welcome

Benjamin and remember him in prayer as he

leads the school.

MMS entered into an MOU with Covenant Community MC in support

of the girls in Sophia’s Home in Nepal for four years with effect from

1 August 2014. These girls qualify to pursue a post-secondary

education. The financial support raised by CCMC is channelled

through a Post-Secondary Scholarship Fund which seeks to cover

tuition fees and school expenses only.

Foochow MC and MMS signed an MOU from 1 September 2014

to 21 August 2015 to support Joy Methodist Hostel ministry

in Cambodia.

HOME HAPPENINGS | 19

Journey of Faith

Description: What is true missions about? It’s a journey of faith into the unknown, similar to how these youths are blind-folded in this activity we conducted. It is also about planting new seeds of faith and trusting God to water them, just like what these youths are holding in their hands.

Photographer: Ian HoChurch: Bedok MCPhoto taken: COSY Youth Hostel, Cambodia in August 2012

MMS was invited to these Partner

Churches to set up a mission

booth: Geylang Chinese MC

(27 July), Methodist Church of

the Incarnation (24 August),

Aldersgate MC (21 September),

Barker Road MC (28 September)

and Sengkang MC (28 September).

Please contact us if you want

MMS to set up a booth in your

church.

Thanks to everyone who participated in MMS Photo Contest #2. The aim of the contest was to encourage mission

trippers to share their photos capturing the “Youth in Missions”. Congratulations to Ian Ho, Joanne Chen and

Jonathan Huang. All three winners of S$100 have been contacted. We would like to invite you to check out the next

MMS Photo Contest #3 on MMS website and Facebook page. You may be the next top winners!

Mission Awareness

MMS Photo Contest #2 Results

20 | HARVEST FORCE

Co-workers in God’s service

Description: “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building” 1 Corinthians 3:9 (NIV). Just like in this picture where the two boys were struggling to move the wheelbarrow over the hump, obstacles and roadblocks are inevitable in the mission field but these can be overcome when we bear each other’s burdens and keep serving together as a team.

Photographer: Joanne ChenChurch: Toa Payoh MCPhoto taken: COSI Children’s Village, Cambodia in March 2014

Band of Brothers

Description: When you live a village, neighbours are your family. This group of boys were at the church in Ilam on a Sunday. They were busy running around, playing badminton, and attending Sunday school. I managed to gather them together for a group shot. Their faces show no pretence, no put-on smiles for the camera. This is who they are – Band of Brothers.

Photographer: Jonathan HuangChurch: Wesley MCPhoto taken: Victorious Methodist Church, Ilam District, Nepal in May 2014

Some feedback from the Missionaries and Staff: David Chan : A time to affirm one another.

Han Chew : Good and refreshing break from the routine.

Wee Teck : Learn about the importance and benefits from

practising the SSS (Solitude, Silence and Stillness).

Joy : A retreat and not a work trip!

Jacob : Really appreciate all the effort put in to organise

the retreat. We benefitted from all the prayer

preparation before it.

Rudy : It was good preparation before I leave for the field.

See Toh : Learnt a lot about prayer.

Kelvin : Thank God for the opportunity to share and have

fellowship with one another.

An MMS Missionary Retreat was planned

slightly differently this year. From 19 to 22

August 2014 at Hatten Hotel, Malacca,

Malaysia, the group of 50 Missionaries, Staff

and Volunteers spent a few days nourishing

our souls. As stated by our theme “Whoever

has ears, LET HIM HEAR”, we learnt to discern

God’s voice through Scripture and prayer.

The speaker cum facilitator was Brenda Goh

who was formerly a legal adviser and had

experienced the power of God 14 years ago.

Currently, she is the Lay Head of Department

overseeing the Prayer and Intercession

ministry of St John’s – St Margaret’s Church.

MMS Missionary Retreat 2014


Here is a reflection by our Missionary in Timor-Leste, Joseph

Mannar, who is from Bedok MC:

“The retreat was a wonderful time of meeting new

friends, catching up with familiar faces, and sharing in

their ministry struggles. It was great hearing about God’s

goodness, provision and guidance as we shared with one

another.

“This retreat proved to be more self-reflective, and opened

my eyes to certain things God was revealing to me. It

encouraged me to look inward and question my identity.

My identity in Christ, in the world, in missions, in Timor-Leste,

as a parent, and a husband. It prompted us to think along

three lines: I am what I do (Mark 6:2-3); I am what other

people say about me (Ecclesiastes 7:21); I am what I have

(Luke 12:15).

“Professor Jim Houston suggests that if what I do

determines who I am, then I’m not being fully human. Henri

Nouwen asks why we let what others say about me – good

or bad – determine who I am. And Professor Darrell Bock

emphasizes that the main issue is not wealth, but rather my

attitude towards obtaining wealth.

“These above reflections, verses and profound excerpts

truly helped me see who I am without a protective mask. It

lets me see me as a person God has created. The retreat’s

process of thinking and questioning has helped me draw

closer to God who dwells in me, and this encounter is

changing me in ways I never thought possible. This is the

power of prayer, reflection and this inner journey I am

embarking on.

“Hearing God is not a device you use or a method that will

always yield results. Hearing God arises out of my intimate

relationship with Him. It is important to cultivate a desire

and yearning for God and the Holy Spirit.

“In John 20:11, Mary Magdalene went with Peter and John

to claim the body. When they noticed that the body was

no longer there Peter and John left. Mary Magdalene

stayed back. She was not ready to leave as she was

curious as to where the body was. She remained silent in

solitude and stillness and she wept. In those grieving and

silent moments, she saw the Angels.

“Mary Magdalene loved the Lord Jesus, adored Him and

she had a personal relationship with Him, knowing that He

was the Son of God. One thing she lacked though she was

with Him, was that she did not know that He will rise from

death. When she saw the Lord Jesus she did not recognize

Him. She waited with great patience, passion and respect

for the Lord Jesus. She stayed and waited to claim the

body while everyone had left the tomb. She wanted to

give the best, most decent burial for the Lord Jesus.

“The retreat has been immensely helpful in opening my

mind and heart in understanding and re-thinking my

identity. My journey to building my relationship with Christ

now involves extended time in solitude, silence and

stillness as I reflect on God’s word and meditate on it.

“How much does Jesus mean to you/me? How much do

you/I know Jesus? Would you/I be bold to lift up Jesus in

times of threat?”

22 | HARVEST FORCE

An inaugural MMS Missionary Training was organised by

the MMS Training Committee to help those who are new

in the mission fields or are exploring to be equipped for

the work and ministry ahead. For two months, starting

from 1 July 2014, the 14 participants had a great learning

experience. They learnt useful skills and knowledge from

a team of experienced lecturers. 29 August was the

Graduation and Covenant Service which was attended

by the granduants’ families, friends and church leaders.

Missionaries Grace Mannar (Bedok MC) and Low Wee

Teck (Aldersgate MC) gave their encouraging testimonies.

Below is an excerpt from Grace’s testimony:

“I’ll be sharing how God called me into missions, and what

I’ve gained from the training.

“I received Jesus into my life at age 21. I remember

vividly the verse that convicted me during church that

day – Matthew 16:26: ‘What good will it be for a man if

he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?’ At age 24,

I made the Lordship commitment according to the verse,

Matthew 28:18-20, to go and make disciples for Jesus. It

was also a commitment to missions for me. I prayed and

waited. Since then, I got married to Joseph Mannar, and

together we have had three wonderful boys. We became

active members of Bedok Methodist Church, are involved

in cell groups and have been on several mission trips

around Asia.

Inspired by the Harvest Force magazine, specifically the

‘Opportunities to Serve’ segment, we availed ourselves

to the Lord in prayer to grant us opportunities to serve.

In 2013, after a season of trust and obedience, the Lord

paved the way for us to go to East Timor.

“The past two months of training has been comprehensive

and beneficial. We covered a vast array of topics from

homiletics to the ministry of healing to contextualising

culture as well as our roles in the mission field. I thank

God for the MMS Training Committee, Trainers and

Lecturers who have done an exemplary job in educating,

encouraging and praying for us missionaries by imparting

their knowledge and sharing their valuable experiences

to enhance our spiritual maturity and godly character. It

was an enjoyable and eye-opening experience for me.

I am proud to be a Methodist after learning about the

Methodist Heritage and Methodist distinctiveness.

“I also cherish the friendships I have made over these two

months. I am constantly reminded to cultivate healthy

attitudes, to practise humility, and to be open minded,

hospitable and teachable.

“In closing, I would like to leave you with the most

valuable lesson I learnt: Love God intimately, and love

God’s people intentionally!”

Inaugural MMS Missionary Training – Graduation and Covenant Service


MMS is thankful to our speakers, worship leaders, band

members and many volunteers for a successful and

meaningful Missions Rally on 5 and 6 September 2014. This

was our first time organising such a missions rally. The two-

night event, held at ACS (Independent), saw about 750

and 450 participants respectively for each night. Although

it was planned to draw young people to be involved

in missions, we also noticed many older folks who were

young at heart and had a heart for missions. We believe

many hearts have been restored and passion renewed for

God’s missions.

Ps Benny Ho and Rev Malcolm Tan delivered impactful

messages to address the Rally theme, “Touching Hearts

Saving Souls”. Ps Benny referred to Jonah 4:1-11 and

warned us about three possible roadblocks to missions:

Ethnocentricity (Pride and Prejudice), Encampment

(Blessing vs Being a Blessing), and Entanglement (Flesh vs

Spirit). Ps Malcolm brought us through the familiar passage

of John 4:4-42, and showed us three ways Jesus touched

the Samaritan woman. Jesus made her feel like a real

human being; Jesus showed great concern for her; and

Jesus accepted her. Like Jesus, we can touch the hearts

of people too.

The participants were united in worship which was led

by Bob Fitts. We were also treated to some upbeat songs

sung by Juwita Suwito and Alarice Thio. And Ailene Chou

shared her testimony.

MMS Missions Rally


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OUR GIFTS FOR MISSIONSWe would like to support MMS so that the Good News of Jesus Christ can be proclaimed to the ethnic

Cambodians, Chinese, Lahus, Laotian, Nepalese, Thais, Timorese and Vietnamese, by giving to:

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

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General Donation (where it is most needed) $

Student Sponsorship Scheme (Non-Residential)* General $ @ S$30 per month (minimum commitment of 12 months)

– Cambodia / Nepal / Thailand / Laos

Student Sponsorship Scheme (Residential)* General $ @ S$90 per month (minimum commitment of 12 months)

[ ] COSI (Cambodia) [ ] Emmaus Women’s Centre (Cambodia) [ ] Sophia’s Home (Nepal) [ ] Mettakij Hostel (Thailand) [ ] Term Fun Home (Thailand) [ ] Taiping Children’s Home (East Asia)

Cambodia Mission Emmaus Women’s Centre – operational expenses $ Church Ministry Support $

Post COSI Integration Programme $

East Asia Mission Church Ministry Support $ Nanchang Stamford Consultancy Centre $ National Workers Fund $ Children’s Home / Ministry $

Nepal Mission Income Generating Project Fund $ Caleb Bible Institute Trainee Sponsorship $ @ S$80 per month

Church Ministry Support $ Youth Ministry / Hub $

Thailand Mission Income Generating Project Fund $ Church Ministry Support $

Timor-Leste Mission Student Hostel Project (Gleno) $ Medical Ministry at Ermera District $ Methodist School Project (Dili) $

Vietnam Mission Vietnam Children’s Fund $

Laos Mission Staff & Ministry Support $ Singapore Mission School Building Project $

Printing And Postage Cost Harvest Force & PrayerConnect $

Others (please specify): $ In the event that a donation cannot be applied as you have designated, MMS may exercise the discretion to redirect it to where it is most needed. If you need more details, please call 6478 4818. *For more information on the Student Sponsorship Scheme, please logon to http://www.mms.org.sg/sss

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MMS Executive DirectorMethodist Missions Society

70 Barker Road #06-01 The Methodist Centre

Singapore 309936

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MISSIONOur Mission is to fulfil

Christ’s Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.

VISION 2020Our Vision is to unite

the Methodist Community in Singapore to plant 800 new,

indigenous, financially self-supporting, disciple making and

multiplying churches by 2020.

OUR CORE VALUES Accountability, Integrity, Compassion,

Perseverance, Cultural Sensitivity, Unity and Excellence.

OUR MAIN STRATEGIESChurch Planting and

Community Development

MINISTRIESMMS is dedicated to addressing the real-life needs of the communities and churches, so as to rebuild, restore and reconcile people and communities back to Him.

SUPPORTERSMMS enlists, encourages, engages and empowers Methodists to serve in missions, by praying for, participating in and giving financially to reach those whom Jesus died to redeem.

TEAMTogether with our Partner Churches, Volunteers, Mobilisers, Donors, Prayer Partners, Mission Teams and Missionaries, we form the team involving in Church Planting, Discipling,Teaching, Evangelising, Healthcare, Education, Sponsorship and Livelihood Projects.

We need more PARTNER CHURCHES!

Will your church join in to pray for, partner and participate with MMS in establishing new congregation, indigenous churches

and mission endeavours?

MISSIONS IS NOT A ONE-MAN OR ONE-ORGANISATION’S JOB.

IT IS A PARTNERSHIP THROUGH WHICH GOD’S WORK IS FULFILLED AND HIS GLORY SHOWN.

Pho

to ©

jojo

van

Taking a break during a four hour trek through the mountains in East Nepal.

“Faith is their life, and Jesus is their God.”

Pastors training in Nepal.

True Disciple(True disciple) to change the world(True disciple) to make it right(True disciple) to live my life(True disciple) to sacrifice– “True Disciple” by Youth Alive

“What is a true disciple of Jesus Christ?” “What does it

mean that Jesus is my Lord and Saviour?” “What does it

mean for the way I live my life?”

These were just some questions I was confronted with

during my one-month stay in Nepal under the MMS MITE

Programme (http://www.mms.org.sg/mite.html). As part

of my Field Education in Trinity Theological College, I

decided to take a route less travelled and experience

another culture. Nepal seemed like a good fit as English

was widely understood, and it promised a dynamic

experience.

Nepal is a country steeped in religion. Over 80% of the

population is Hindu. There are shrines at almost

every junction and religious artefacts adorn

the doorways of every store and home.

MITE REPORT | 29

The Elderly man standing in front of the church he donated land to build.

Praising God during a Christian graduation ceremony in Karkarvitta

Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven

In a religion that has 330 million gods (or

manifestations of “God”), Jesus is just another

deity. What, then, makes the Christian faith

different?

This question was answered for me through

the stories of the pastors and believers there.

As I walked with a man of God for two hours,

he told me that the primary method of

evangelism was – believe it or not – miracles.

Indeed, many had come to the faith because

Jesus had healed them of their sickness,

because Jesus had delivered them from

demonic oppression. Jesus was their saviour,

a personal God.

Yet another shared about how in his ministry

he had to work among people of the lowest

caste, the “untouchables”. His family, from the

priestly caste, shunned him, and although he

visited his parents out of filial piety, he had to

eat his meals outside their home!

Lastly, I was privileged to visit the site of a

new church building under construction and

meet the elderly man who had donated

the land sorely needed for the

building. While his village was still

predominantly non-Christian, he

had remained faithful all these

years as a disciple and did his

part to build God’s kingdom.

Faith is their life, and Jesus is their

God. The vision of the Methodist

Church in Nepal is to “Redeem

Nepal for Jesus Christ”. Through

their lives, Christ’s disciples shine

His light into the darkness – a

reminder, surely, for all of us to do

the same.

Jonathan HuangWesley Methodist Church

30 | HARVEST FORCE

在与一位敬虔的信徒同行两个小时的行程中，他

告诉我神迹奇事是传福音的方法。事实上，许多人

是因为耶稣治好了他们的疾病，因为耶稣将他们

从恶魔中释放出来才信主。耶稣是他们的救主，个

人的神。

另一人分享了他在事奉时需与最低种姓的“贱民”

接触，这导致他那祭司种姓的家人都避开他。虽

然他尽孝探望父母，可还是被排斥在父母的家外

面吃饭！

最后，我有幸到工地观看兴建中的教会，也与捐赠

该片土地的长者见面。尽管他村里的居民大多数

都不是基督徒，多年来他仍然忠于作主门徒，并为

建立神的国度而尽自己的一分力。

耶稣是他们的神，他们在生活中活出了信仰。卫

理公会在尼泊尔的愿景是“为耶稣基督赎回尼泊

尔”。通过他们的生活，基督的门徒将上帝的光照

亮四周的黑暗，这也提醒我们，我们当在生活中为

主发光。

黄永智

卫斯理堂

真正的门徒（真正的门徒）–改变世界（真正的门徒）－处理正确（真正的门徒）－活出生命（真正的门徒）－做出牺牲－“真正的门徒”

“谁是耶稣基督真正的门徒?”“耶稣是我的救主是

什么意思？”“这对于我的生活又意味什么？”

这只是我通过卫宣尼泊尔禾场实习一个月时所碰

到的部分提问。在考虑三一神学院实地教育的实

习地点时，我决定选择不需要长途跋涉又能体验

另一种文化的地方。尼泊尔似乎是一个不错的选

择，因为英语普及，没有语言障碍将会获得精彩的

体验。

尼泊尔是个弥漫着浓厚宗教色彩的国家。超过百

分之八十的人口是兴都教徒。几乎每一个路口都有

神龛，每家商店和家庭的过道都有宗教文物的挂

饰。对一个有3.3亿神明敬拜的宗教而言，耶稣只

是其中一个神。那么，基督教信仰要如何凸显与其

他宗教不同呢？

我找到答案了，从当地的牧师和信徒的见证中得

到答案。

Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven

Dusk settles on the streets of Kathmandu

Badamtar – He dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning

MITE REPORT | 31 30 | HARVEST FORCE

“We feel very blessed that they are willing to share

and open up to us.”

New Friendship through MITE

Hailing from Bukit Panjang Methodist Church

(BPMC), a common desire to serve in the

mission field for the duration of their study

break brought new pals, Amy Yam Wai Sum,

22, and Calista Ng Jie Le, 19, together in

Cambodia where they spent almost three

months serving in the MMS ministries there.

It was a unique decision given that most

youth would rather spend their study break

engaging in part-time work, internships

or travelling. “I had originally thought of

working as a coffee barista or working in SKS

Christian bookstore as coffee and books

are my passions,” shared Amy, but a sense

of adventure and promise inspired by J.R.R.

Tolkien’s ‘The Hobbit,’ spurred her interest for

a longer-term mission trip. Calista shared that

while she had been on previous mission trips,

her goal was to embark on a longer term one

so that she would be fully immersed in the

ministry for a greater length of time.

While originally intending to travel alone,

the two were brought together by Yeo Lai

Wah, BPMC Missions Coordinator. BPMC has

been highly supportive of their efforts. “We

have received financial, medical and prayer

support from the church members who have

been constantly encouraging us,” shared

Calista. Having only known each other briefly

in church, the friendship between the two

was set to deepen as they embarked on their

journey of service.

The two were selected to go on MMS Missions

Internship Training and Exposure (MITE)

programme in Cambodia – one of the three

shortlisted countries of their choice. They were

then briefed by the Country Coordinating

32 | HARVEST FORCE

Officer for Cambodia, Rev Teresa Wilborn, on the missions

landscape in Cambodia and the supplies and provisions

they would need for the trip.

Their arrival in Phnom Penh in May 2014 was warmly

received by the missionaries stationed there who helped

them to acclimatise to Phnom Penh. “I didn’t expect to

be talking with and be invited to the homes of full-time

missionaries to learn from their experiences. We feel very

blessed that they are willing to share and open up to us,”

noted Calista.

Their first assignment in Cambodia was to teach English in

the kindergarten at the Methodist School of Cambodia,

in Phnom Penh. After a week, they were relocated to

teach in both the village school in Community Outreach

Services Immanuel (COSI) Children’s Village as well as the

Emmaus Women’s Centre, located at Ang Snoul District in

Kandal Province. Away from the hustle and bustle of city

life in Singapore and Phnom Penh, Amy and Calista soon

discovered a different perspective to life. “Back home,

I would determine how productive my day was by the

amount of pages I had read in a book or by how many

things I accomplished in a day,” quipped Amy, “but over

here, it’s not the amount of the things you do in a day, but

the level of attention you give each activity and it could

be as simple as conversations with people.” Agreeing with

this quality versus quantity perspective, Calista added,

“You can also see this difference between the children

in the city school and in the village. The children from

the village tend to be warmer, open and more inclusive,

whereas the children in the city school tend to be more

reserved and hesitant towards new faces. The distinction is

more pronounced.”

Mission life has also exposed the young women to

independent living. “Coming from Singapore where

I did not have to do many chores and then adjusting

to washing my own clothes by hand when I arrived in

Cambodia has taught me independence,” shares Amy

adding that “it is also a practical preparation for me when

I leave Singapore for my tertiary studies.” Accustomed to

household chores, Calista on the other hand grapples with

the issue of space, saying, “Being more introverted, I am

learning how to carve out some quiet personal time in the

midst of serving in the mission field.”

Mentioning the scorching heat in Cambodia and the

evident absence of comforts from home, both chuckled

in agreement, “We’ve learnt to appreciate things in

their rightful place,” quoting C.S. Lewis, “… You can’t get

second things by putting them first. You get second things

only by putting first things first.”

Tanya OngGrace Methodist Church

Editor’s Note: Tanya was not on the MITE programme, but

she visited COSI with her mother, Laureen Tam, and met

Calista and Amy who were on the MITE programme. Follow

Calista and Amy’s blog at thatwemay.wordpress.com.


“COSI has definitely been a wonderful experience

that was filled with fun, laughter and love.”

Wonderful Experiences in COSI

SAMUEL’S REFLECTIONIn July 2014, I was in Cambodia with Jeremy

for a one-month long Missions Internship

Training & Exposure (MITE) trip so that I could

clarify God’s calling in our lives. We were

stationed in Community Outreach Services-

Immanuel (COSI) Children’s Village where

we were tasked to mentor the academic

and spiritual development of the children

between 13 and 19 years old.

This trip has opened up many opportunities

to explore and serve. Besides having a

more comprehensive understanding of the

gruelling demands of overseas Christian

mission work, I had a better insight of our

strengths and weaknesses.

I was impressed by the importance of cultivating God’s

love in my life in order to serve effectively. Prior to the trip,

my interest in Paul’s epistles was primarily theological.

Paul could address many controversial debates that were

plaguing the development of the Christian movement.

However, during one of my devotion sessions with the

COSI children, I could better appreciate 1 Corinthians

13 where Paul provides a succinct definition of God’s

love. Because of this love, Paul was strengthened and

motivated to endure the challenging circumstances

that he had to face throughout much of his ministry. He

was able to persist in optimism and hope for those who

had disappointed him numerous times. And this led to

the positive transformation of those he was continually

reaching out to.

Unlike many of us, the COSI children do not have the

privilege of growing up in an environment where they are

surrounded by the constant care and attention of their

parents. Due to their difficult childhood, some of them

have developed a perception of being neglected and

abandoned. Reflecting on these issues, my heart was

burdened to intercede for their emotional needs. May

God’s love fill their lives so that their experience of His love

would fill the emotional void in each of them. I was deeply

touched by God’s heart for them, and my heart began

to develop a special tenderness towards them. I became

more sympathetic, attentive, and sensitive to their needs.

34 | HARVEST FORCE

Wonderful Experiences in COSI

Through the act of showing God’s love to these children,

I found that His love gave me much motivation and

strength to reach out to those who were a challenge to

counsel. In addition, I also witnessed how His love softened

the stubbornness in some of them, resulting in their positive

transformation. Even though many of these positive

changes were not immediate, it was His love that allowed

me to persevere with much hope and patience through

the many challenges and disappointments I faced. Not

only have these experiences enriched my faith, they

have also reinforced my conviction and motivated me

to cultivate God’s love in my life, so as

to be an effective instrument for His

Kingdom.

I am thankful for the constant

support from my church and

MMS in this journey. Thanks to

Jeremy for his constant honest

and sincere encouragements that

have inspired and strengthened

my faith in Christ. Thanks to those

who constantly prayed for our

safety. May God continue to work

in my life and use my experiences

in Cambodia as a foundation

for my future endeavours in His

Kingdom.


JEREMY’S REFLECTIONI am really thankful that God called me to COSI during the

summer of my first year in university. COSI really opened

my eyes to God’s hand moving all over the world. My stay

in COSI also strengthened my walk with God, and helped

me learn so much more about our Father. I have many

memories and learning experiences from COSI, but for my

reflections, I will focus on the few things that impacted me

the most throughout my stay.

Morning devotions and evening bible studiesWe conducted morning devotions for the Grade 10 and

11s every morning. At first, Sam and I took turns sharing

but after a few days, the boys started sharing. This was

very encouraging to see these youth being so keen to

lead and share God’s word with their peers. Evening

bible studies were conducted similarly, and we focused

on 1 Corinthians which has several topics that appealed

more to the boys. They often followed up with questions

regarding life as a Christian. What struck me was the fact

that they really held on to the Bible as the way to live their

life; they did not compromise or try to use worldly wisdom

to craft another path for themselves. Often I had found

myself debating with the “guidelines” of the Bible, and

trying to reason it out or to make excuses for myself. God

used these youth to show me my mistakes, and I was very

humbled and thankful.

36 | HARVEST FORCE

Guard dutyWe had to organise guard duty and patrolling

for the Grade 10 and 11 boys for a few nights

because the fence was taken down to make

way for a new parameter wall to be built. This

meant that COSI was open to public access.

This was rather dangerous as we were told

that villagers often try to steal things from

COSI. What amazed me was that none of the

boys complained about going through that

extra hardship. Despite the lack of sleep and

the constant attack by mosquitoes, these

boys were cheerful about it and continued

to step out of their comfort zone for the next

few days. They understood the importance

of protecting their home. And as the older

bunch of youth, they also understood that

it was their responsibility to look after the

younger kids. This was really an exhibition

of servant leadership and suffering without

complains. I was touched by their love for the

fellow brothers and sisters, as well as their love

for their home.

The WheelbarrowThe wheelbarrow is a simple tool invented by man to ease

the burden of transporting heavy loads from one point

to another. This very same wheelbarrow also brought so

much fun to the younger kids in COSI. They made Sam

and I take turns to pull them up and down slopes, and

they would scream and cheer and “force” us to go faster.

We had to pull more than 10 kids on the wheelbarrow,

and it was an exhausting endeavour. But what touched

me was the fact that after I was done pulling them up

and down, they made me swap places with them, and a

whole bunch of them tried to pull Sam and I up and down.

Of course it was a near impossible task for them, but they

still tried to let us have as much fun as they did. In a place

where there are so many kids, they have learnt to support

and look out one another. Not only in difficult times, but

also when they are having fun.

COSI has definitely been a wonderful experience that

was filled with fun, laughter and love. Should God open

another door for me, it would be my joy to go back to this

beautiful home in Cambodia.

Samuel See and Jeremy TanPentecost Methodist Church


“We need to have God’s heart for the nations.”

– Expansion of our Vision PERSPECTIVES

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your

ways my ways,” declares the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8, NIV).

I have recently been challenged by the smallness of my

thoughts and my ways.

The news recently has been filled with stories of conflict,

persecution and pain among the nations. My thoughts

and prayers focused on the grief that such news brings:

prayers for deliverance and relief from pain.

My response was not inappropriate, but forgetful. I was

forgetting the bigger picture of God’s plan for the nations,

which He has ordained our participation in. Missing from

my prayers was the reliance on the promises of God for

deliverance of a larger kind, sung by His people in

Psalm 67 (NASB):

God be gracious to us and bless us,

And cause His face to shine upon us. [Selah.]

That Your way may be known on the earth,

Your salvation among all nations.

Let the peoples praise You, O God.Let all the peoples praise You.

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy;

For You will judge the peoples with uprightness

And guide the nations on the earth. [Selah.]

Let the peoples praise You, O God.Let all the peoples praise You…

I was forgetting that God’s plan for the nations

is not mere temporary relief from conflict and

persecution, but guiding entire nations to be

glad and sing for joy to the Lord. God has a

heart for His salvation and His joy to be known

in and among all the nations. By focusing only

on the people and praying for simple relief,

my vision and heart was too small.

We live in challenging times – and the times

demand an expansion of our vision. We need

to have God’s heart for the nations. We need

to understand what the story is that He is

weaving through history to the present day.

In response, He will teach us to pray in a way

that gives glory and honour to Him and seeks

true deliverance and joy for people.

How God expands our vision will look different

depending on the situation God has put us

in. One of the ways that God has used, and is

still using, to remind me of His heart and plan

for the nations is the PERSPECTIVES course.

This is a 15-week course designed to help

participants think about what God’s mission.

The Psalm above is a reminder from lesson

one of that course, which I read again while

thinking through recent news events.

I have met others for whom the nine-week

KAIROS course has served a similar function.

Courses such as Perspectives and Kairos are

important tools God can use to challenge

and encourage us to think big, and to place

what we think and do in the context of God’s

mission.

38 | HARVEST FORCE

PERSPECTIVES on the World Christian

Movement is a dynamic 15-lesson discipleship

course designed to equip local churches and

individuals to get a bigger view of God and His global

purposes, and to help them find their place within

those purposes. The action-packed course includes

teaching, group discussions, prayer, worship, case

studies, videos and cross-cultural activities. The two

parallel current courses started in September. Course

fees are in the range of S$280 for working adults,

inclusive of two course textbooks. Discounts for non-

working adults, students, married couples and early

registrants are available.

• For more information about the Perspectives course,

go to: www.perspectivessingapore.org.

• To sign up for a free Perspectives taster session

in November, January or February,

email [email protected].

• For more information about the Kairos course,

go to: www.kairoscoursesingapore.org.

It is a pleasure and privilege to be involved in coordinating

the Perspectives course in Singapore. My hope and prayer

is that many more Christians would be impacted by the

course, just as I, and many others, have been. We are

blessed to be a blessing. Let us seek to learn fully what this

means.

Ailene Grandey-ChouCore Coordinating Team Member of Perspectives

Singapore

38 | HARVEST FORCE IN OTHER WORDS | 39

David Khew

Rev Philip Lim

Introducing Country Coordinating Officers In 2012, MMS started a new initiative to enhance the communications between

our Methodist Churches and our mission fields. The idea of having Country

Coordinating Officers (CCOs) was thus introduced. These CCOs are actually Home

Office staff assigned to our seven mission fields.

Mission Fields

Country Coordinating Officers

Email Addresses

Cambodia Rev Teresa Wilborn [email protected]

East Asia Col (Ret) Quek Koh Eng [email protected]

Laos Rev Philip Lim [email protected]

Nepal Noel Tam [email protected]

Thailand David Khew [email protected]

Timor-Leste Noel Tam [email protected]

Vietnam Rev Teresa Wilborn [email protected]

The primary responsibility is to assist the Area Directors, including in the following

areas:

(a) To assist the field team to process the project proposals. Each proposal will

have a clear definition of the aim of the project, the intent and purpose, the

estimated cost, financial plan, and phases for implementation.

(b) To provide information and input for Area Directors to make decisions. And to

make rectifications after discussion with the Area Director and then to submit a

final proposal for CWG (Coordination Working Group) approval before tabling

it to EXCO (Executive Committee).

(c) To help explain policy and process of each of the MMS ministries, such

as the Student Sponsorship Scheme, Income Generating Projects, Donor

Management, MITE, Infrastructure Projects, and Capital Investment etc.

40 | HARVEST FORCE

Noel Tam

Col (Ret) Quek Koh Eng

Rev Teresa Wilborn

Introducing Country Coordinating Officers (d) To facilitate the flow of information from the Home Office

to the fields, and vice versa.

(e) To network with Partner Churches to facilitate projects

or discussions.

(f) To gather and submit information on prayer items

quarterly and for compilation of mission trips from

Partner Churches.

(g) To prepare articles for Harvest Force and Methodist

Message in support of country ministries.

(h) To support fundraising efforts to key ministry initiatives.

(i) To negotiate and prepare MOU (Memorandum of

Understanding) documents with Partner Churches,

and meet for regular programme reviews.

(j) To represent MMS as Board Members for overseas

Methodist Schools (Thailand and Cambodia), and at

annual church conferences.

(k) To represent country teams at Operations Meetings.

(l) To liaise with Personal Committee for new missionary

applicants and welfare of current missionaries.

(m) To work with Area Directors to finalise the MSR

(Missionary Support Requirement) for new missionaries.

PROFILES | 41 40 | HARVEST FORCE

A Balancing ActOne of the longest running themes for discussion in the church has

been the apparent tension between missions and social action.

There are the missions purists who would not let the ‘social gospel’

infect what they do in evangelism, discipleship and church planting.

The social gospel movement during the late 19th to early 20th century,

popular among liberal Protestant groups, aimed to better society by

applying biblical principles of justice and peace. It was considered

liberal because there would be minimal, if not zero, emphasis on the

preaching of the gospel where conversions take place.

The social activists who seek to apply biblical principles in the

transformation of society, would consider the purists as those who are

so heavenly minded that they seem not to be in touch with what is

happening on earth, where suffering and injustice abound. Saving

souls is not enough when people are not fed, have no roof over their

heads, and are marginalised in society.

In the last century, both sides of the debate have come to see the

benefits of both ends of the spectrum. They have moved closer to

the centre, and have made radical changes to their philosophy

of ministry. It is not a question of “either-or” but of “both-and”. The

challenge today is how to find the balance and stay at the centre of

the spectrum.

42 | HARVEST FORCE

“Over time, should we find ourselves going too far in these and have not been paying attention to the spiritual, then we need to lean towards the other end.”

One of those things we used to play as children is the

see-saw. Sometimes the fun would be not the moving up

and down at both ends. Rather, it is how two of us could

keep the see-saw parallel to the ground, suspended as it

were in mid-air. The way to accomplish that is to adjust our

position at both ends by leaning inward or outward.

One of the distinctive features of Methodism is that

we began as a movement that blended these two

apparently opposite ends together. The method in the

Wesley’s early Holy Club activities included spending

time in the spiritual disciplines of reading Scriptures and

praying, accompanied by taking care of prisoners,

widows and orphans.

At times, it is possible to be doing both together. For

example, as we are visiting someone, bringing food or

other material things they need, we are also doing the

spiritual when we read the scriptures to them, pray for

them, or even share the gospel with them.

However, there are times when we can only do one or

the other. In this case then, we may begin with the social,

meeting real material and physical needs, getting into

community development, because the existing political,

social and economic situations present pressing needs.

Over time, should we find ourselves going too far in these

and have not been paying attention to the spiritual, then

we need to lean towards the other end.

All of these call for regular and frank evaluation as to the

state of the missions endeavour. Are there people who

call on the name of Christ as Lord? Is there a community

of believers being established? Are our missions holistic in

nature, meeting spiritual, material and social needs?

Our missions work is part and parcel of the whole

Methodist Church. At the end of the day, the visible

evidence of what we do must be measured by seeing

people who call themselves followers of Christ assembling

regularly for worship, prayer, study and witness. We are

not an NGO simply doing good works. We are the Church.

After all we have done in meeting the all-round needs

of the people we reach out to, there must be the church

(as in people, not buildings) to testify to the fruit of all our

labour.

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

A CLOSING THOUGHT | 43

平衡一直以来，“宣教与社会行动之间的张力”都是教会里一个久经探讨的话

题。

一些追求纯正主义的传道者，不愿接受“社会福音”在他们传道、门训和植

堂的事功上有所影响。在19世纪到20世纪初期，社会福音运动在自由派新

教中盛行，其目的是以圣经中公义及和平的原则来改善社区。这之所以曾被

认为是自由派的，是因为在领人信主的过程中不太强调（如果有的话）传讲

福音。

一些社会活动活跃份子尝试将圣经的原则应用于社区的转变中，他们认为

那些纯正主义者脱离了现实，好似不食人间烟火一般。他们似乎完全不受这

地球上正在发生的事情所影响，即其中的痛苦和不公比比皆是。当人们处于

饥饿难耐、无家可归及正在被社会边缘化的时候，根本无暇顾及灵魂是否

得救。

在上个世纪，争辩双方不再各执己见。他们开始尝试彼此接纳，并且在他们

的事工理念上取得了根本性的转变。这不再是一个“非此即彼”的问题，而

变成了“可以共存”的问题。今日我们所面对的挑战，就是如何在其中取得

平衡。

我们在孩童时代常玩的一个游戏，就是跷跷板。当中真正的乐趣并不在翘

起下落，而是我们可以保持平衡，使得跷跷板可以悬浮在半空之中。而要实

现这目的，方法就是向前或向后调整我们坐在跷跷板两端的位置。

“若有一天，我们发现我们自己不再关注属灵方面的事务时，那么，我们就

需要做出调整。”

宣教

44 | HARVEST FORCE

卫理宗的一个显著特点，就是我们开始了一个融会以上两个极端观念的运

动。在卫斯理早期的圣洁会活动中，就是既包括藉着研读经和祷告进行属灵

的操练，也包括照顾囚犯、寡妇和孤儿的生活需要。

有时，取得上述的平衡是比较容易做到的。例如我们探访时，除了带上食物及

日常必需品外，也可以照顾对方属灵上的需要，考虑为他们读一段圣经经文、

为他们祷告甚至分享福音。

然而，有时我们确实只能二者择其一。在此情况下，特别是因着目前的政治、

社会和经济形势所造成的迫切需要，我们可能要先关注于社会、物质及生活

上的需要以及社区的发展。随着时间的发展，若我们发现自己过于忽略属灵

需要时，那么我们就需要及时作出调整。

上述这些都需要视宣教进展的情况进行定期和坦诚的反省。如有没有人口称

耶稣为主？是否已经有信徒群体被建立？整体上，我们的宣教是否涵盖属灵、

生活及社会这几个方面的需要？

我们的宣教事工是整个卫理宗不可分割的一部分。最终，我们盼望所见到的

是所有宣称跟随耶稣基督的人一起敬拜、祷告、读经以及为主做见证。我们

并非只是一个简单做善事的非盈利性机构，我们乃是耶稣基督的教会。当我

们尽力满足所接触社体各层面的需要时，信徒（而非教堂建筑物）就将成为

我们教会事工成果的美好见证。

黄文合牧师（博士）

新加坡卫理公会会督

社会行动

A CLOSING THOUGHT

harvest force 2014 issue 3

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