harvest force 2015 issue 2

Do You Know… Cambodia Ministry l 柬埔寨教会知多少

Church Planting l 植堂－宣教的最终目标

Coming of Age l 成熟

MMS Ministry in Cambodia l 新加坡卫理宣教会在柬埔寨的事工

Rejoice in the Lord always

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

ISSUE TWO 2015 l MCI(P) 023/11/2014

Focus: Cambodia

ContentsRejoice in the Lord alwaysRejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

(Philippians 4:4, NKJV)

62 SPECIAL FEATURE 2

• Exploring Innovations, Impacts, and Implications of New Communications and Media Development (Part 3)

66 A CLOSING THOUGHT

• Coming of Age

Cambodian youth jumping for joy!

42 PROFILE

• Interview with Benjamin Lee

44FIELD FEATURES

NEPAL• Earthquake in Nepal:

Relief efforts by MMS• Utnu! Chumkinu! Janus!

(Arise! Shine! Go!)• Come and See

THAILAND• 10th Annual Meeting in

Thailand• Co-labourers with God

57HOME HAPPENINGS

• Memorandum of Understanding

• Mission Awareness

06 DO YOU KNOW?

CAMBODIA• Do You Know… Cambodia

Ministry

• Church Planting

• My First Mission Trip to Chress Methodist Church

• The Upper Room

• COS-Immanuel Children’s Village (COSI)

• COSY (COS Youth) Hostel

• Post COSI Integration Programme (PCOSIIP)

• Emmaus Women’s Centre and COS Eco Lodge

• Methodist Hostel

• Joy Hostel

• Hope House

• MSC Kindergarten - The Little Faces That Light Up Our World

• Ministry of the Hearing Impaired

01 EDITORIAL

• Rejoice in the Lord always

02FIRST WORD

• MMS Ministry in Cambodia

04 WATZ UP!

• Mission Trips

• Opportunities to Serve

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)

2 | HARVEST FORCE

This year is a special year for Singapore. It is the country’s

50th birthday and we celebrate its Golden Jubilee. When I

first heard of the string of celebratory events, the first thing

that hit me was that we have to live out the word “Jubilee”.

It is time to celebrate, rejoice, be happy, and be jubilant!

My son, Asher, received his SG50 Lego set in school recently,

and he felt like skipping around and “jumping for joy”.

He could not wait to build his SG model. I could sense his

excitement and jubilee.

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.

AUGUST 2015

ADVISOR Rev Philip Lim

EDITOR Kam Leong Heng

CHINESE EDITORIAL Goh Tuan Gee

TRANSLATORS Carina Kong, Kawai Loh, Ng Hsu-Fen, Tan Wee Chee

PROOFREADER Wendy Tan

PHOTO CREDITS Benjamin Lee, Carol Loh, Carol Ong, Chung Kong Mun, Doris Chan, Elizabeth Gan, Grace Toh, Graham Rozario, GS, Jacob Cheng, Jeremy Choo, Jesse Chan, Joel Tan, Josephine Lim, Joses Phang, Kimberley Yap, Linda Liong, Low Wee Teck, Ralph Lau, Sabashtain Lepcha, Sarah Khoo, Singa Tamang, Tan Li Diang, Tun Pheaktra, Vimala Devi, Teams from Charis MC and Covenant Community MC

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

In fact, we Christians are urged to rejoice. In Philippines

4:4, we are instructed repeatedly to rejoice in the

Lord - all the time. Rejoicing is a deliberate choice and

our duty. No matter what the situation is, we are to

rejoice. We can start by being thankful for His salvation,

forgiveness, presence, power and assurance. Nehemiah

8:10 reminds us that the joy of the Lord is our strength.

In this issue, we focus on Cambodia. Reading through

the brief history of our work in Cambodia, we rejoice in

the growth of our ministries. The work has expanded. The

newest ministry is COSEL and we are potentially having

a new ministry for the hearing impaired. Read about the

testimonies of how the Cambodians are blessed and are

also giving back by serving in the Lord.

Like the Lego structures, we are building up the

Cambodia ministries brick-by-brick together with our

partnering churches and agencies. As you thumb

through the pages, join us to pray for the various

Cambodia ministries, and thank God for building His

kingdom in Cambodia.

In this year of jubilee, may our hearts be filled with joy as

we rejoice together with the angels of God even over

one sinner who repents.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord always

SG Lego Model of Changi Airport Control Tower

EDITORIAL | 1 2 | HARVEST FORCE

MMS Ministry in Cambodia

Mr Andrew Tay, and Ms Annabella Lim of Aldersgate Methodist Church

was appointed as the first MMS missionary in Cambodia on 1 May

1996. In the same month, a consultation on Cambodia was organised

in Singapore with representatives of MMS, the General Board of Global

Mission, and another agency of the United Methodist Church, its

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

Things expanded rapidly thereafter. Later in May 1996, a property at

68-70 Street 317 Khan Toul Kork in Phnom Penh was purchased with the

generous donation of Mr William Koh. This property became the centre

of operations for the proposed Methodist Church in Cambodia (MCC).

Concurrently, approval for the establishment of MCC was granted by

the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Cults and Religion, and the first

Sunday Worship Service was conducted on 3 October 1997. A couple

of months later, the first Baptism Service was held on 28 December

1997 where seven Khmers believers were baptised by the then Bishop

Wong Kiam Thau and the late Rev Dr Clarence Lim. The fledgling

church received a boost with the appointment of its first missionary

pastor, Rev Kevin Lowe and his wife. Within a year of his arrival, three

new Methodist Churches were established in Takmau, Prek Tual and

Krang Svay.

Meanwhile, with the permission to operate a Methodist private school

granted by the Phnom Penh Education Sector, Ms Grace Toh of Paya

Lebar Chinese Methodist Church was appointed as the Missionary

Principal of the Methodist School of Cambodia. Kindergarten classes

began in October 1997. From then on, the school has blossomed to be

one reputed to provide a well-rounded education.

Our Community Outreach Service (COS), a registered non-

government organisation was formed to demonstrate love by serving

“The ministry in Cambodia is a

testimony of God’s hand at work

coupled with the dynamism of our mission workers.”

In this issue of Harvest Force,

we highlight our ministry in

Cambodia. As I review our

archival reports, I learn that MMS

work started with an exploratory

team visit to Phnom Penh in

1994. During that trip, the team

met representatives from other

missions organisations and

Cambodian government officials.

Other study trips followed and an

Interim Executive Board for the

Methodist Church in Cambodia

was formed. The chairperson was

2 | HARVEST FORCE

新加坡卫理宣教会在柬埔寨的事工

这一期的《禾场》，我们

聚焦介绍新加坡卫理宣

教会在柬埔寨的事工。

当我在翻阅过去的档案

时，发现早在1994年

卫理公会就差派了第一

支宣教考察团前往柬埔

寨金边。他们拜访了一

些宣教机构的代表以及

柬埔寨的政府官员。接

下来陆续又有好几支宣

教学习及考察队抵达柬

埔寨，随后成立了柬埔

寨卫理公会临时执行委

员会，主席是郑锦泉弟

兄。1996年5月1日，雅

德门堂的林宝莺被委派为柬埔寨宣教士，她是卫宣首位差往柬埔寨的宣教士。卫宣代表、

美国联合卫理公会环球布道部及联救济委员会的成员也在同个月份在新加坡召开了柬埔

寨咨询会议。

这之后，在上帝的带领下，事工迅速拓展。1996年5月，透过许威廉弟兄的慷慨捐献，新加

坡卫理宣教会购得了位于金边堆谷区68-70街门牌317 的一处房产，作为蕴酿中的柬埔寨

卫理公会运作中心，而柬埔寨宗教事务部国务秘书处也在不久后批准我们设立柬埔寨卫理

公会。1997年10月3日，我们开始了首次主日崇拜。两个月后的12月28日，当时的王聪光会

督以及林金成牧师（已故）为当地七名柬埔寨信徒施洗，这也是卫理公会在柬埔寨的第一

个洗礼崇拜。

这所新成立的教会很快也迎来了首位宣教士牧师罗如恩牧师及他的家眷。在他抵达后的一

年内，三间新植立的教会分别坐落在达克茂, 碧利突及及Krang Svay.

这期间，在金边教育处的准许下，我们设立了私立卫理学校。学校于1997年10月开办幼儿

园，由巴耶黎峇堂的卓淑华宣教士出任第一任校长。从那时起，卫理学校逐渐发展成为一

所提供全面教育的知名学府。

我们也成立了非政府机构的社区外展服务，以上帝的爱来关爱柬埔寨社区。卫理宣教会与

当地政府签署备忘录，设立了一所可容纳100名孩童的孤儿院。以马内利儿童村暨孤儿院

在勿洛堂大力筹款支持下落成，并在2002年5月30日由当时的苏诺铭会督主持开幕仪式，

受邀贵宾是柬埔寨总理洪森。除了儿童村，社区外展事工随后逐渐扩展，设立了以马忤斯

妇女中心以及青年宿舍。

整体来看，柬埔寨的宣教事工不但见证了上帝大能的引领，也反映出宣教士的魄力充沛。荣

耀归于上帝!

林建隆牧师

卫理宣教会执行主任

the Khmer community. An MOU

was signed with the government

to establish an orphanage

with the capacity to house 100

children. COSI Children’s Village

and Orphanage was built with

funds raised by Bedok Methodist

Church and others. This sprawling

compound was officially opened

by the then Bishop Dr Robert

Solomon with HE Samdech

Hun Sen, the Prime Ministry of

Cambodia as Guest of Honour

on 30 May 2002. The ministry of

COS’s community development

has extended to include the

Emmaus Women’s Centre and

youth hostels.

Indeed, the ministry in Cambodia

is a testimony of God’s hand at

work coupled with the dynamism

of our mission workers. To God be

the Glory!

Rev Philip LimMMS Executive Director

FIRST WORD | 3 2 | HARVEST FORCE

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,

administrators and English

language teachers.

Our second request is for short

term workers who are willing to

spend between two weeks to six

months at their own 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 examine your calling to

missions.

2. If your church pastor and

leaders affirm your calling and

are prepared to provide full

financial support – praise the

Lord! Call MMS straight away.

3. If your church pastor and

leaders affirm your calling

but are unable to provide full

financial support for you – call

MMS anyway! Some of our

missionaries are supported

by the combined efforts of

multiple Methodist Churches

and Agencies.

CAMBODIA

• A married couple or mature

female missionary to support

the COSY Hostel.

• Volunteers to teach English for

three months, six months or one

year, and work alongside the

Khmer English teachers in the

Methodist School of Cambodia

(Phnom Penh).

• Volunteers to teach Chinese for

six months in Emmaus Women’s

Centre.

• Volunteers to teach basic

canteen-food cooking skills

and food hygiene in COSEL

(Community Outreach Services

ECO-LODGE)

EAST ASIA

• Church leaders and trainers

to train and equip National

Workers on church planting

and discipleship training in

Jiangsu, Jiangxi and Fujian

Provinces.

• A local church to partner and

support the newly established

preaching points.

NEPAL

• A missionary pastor to serve as

Country Director and teaching

staff at Caleb Bible Institute

in East Nepal and equipping

ministry for National leaders

and workers.

• Full time missionaries

to support the church

planting and community

development work and assist

in administration and finance

matters in the field office.

Cambodia [email protected]

East Asia [email protected]

Laos [email protected]

Nepal [email protected]

Thailand [email protected]

Timor-Leste [email protected]

Vietnam [email protected]

MISSION TripsIf you are interested to organise, or simply to find out more, please email to the respective Country

Coordinating Officers at these email addresses:

4 | HARVEST FORCE

• 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 Mathematic and Science at

Vineyard Methodist School.

• A local church to partner and support new MOT

candidates and newly established preaching points

in Central Thailand, eg. churches in Chaiyaphum and

Sakon Nakhon.

VIETNAM

• Mission teams to visit the Sunlight Shelter and Sunrise

Shelter.

LAOS

• Two experienced teachers to serve as missionaries in

Singapore Mission School.

• Volunteer clerk of works 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.

COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

• Be an English-Chinese translator.

• Be a photographer.

• Be a graphic designer.

• Be a web designer.

• Help to set up MMS mission exhibition booth.

OFFICE ASSISTANCE

• Be our MMS 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 59.

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.

WATZ UP! | 5 4 | HARVEST FORCE

“The simple, compelling words of St Francis reflect the faith, perseverance, and servant-spirit of the early missionaries and volunteers who pioneered the work in Cambodia.”

“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – St Francis of Assisi

I saw this quotation by St Francis in 1993 when

I visited Cambodia for the first time. Someone

had copied it onto a white board hanging

on the wall at the Methodist Centre in Phnom

Penh. It had been written unobtrusively in

blue marker ink in a small corner of the board,

yet it spoke powerfully to me that day.

Reflecting on the ministry in Cambodia over

the past 20 years, I am reminded of this

quotation. The simple, compelling words of

St Francis reflect the faith, perseverance,

and servant-spirit of the early missionaries

and volunteers who pioneered the work in

Cambodia.

Here are some key highlights, past and

present, which reflect God’s goodness and the

work supported by MMS:

• 1996 – The first MMS missionaries arrived,

including the late Annabella Lim from

Aldersgate MC; Susan Lim Pich from Toa

Payoh MC; and Grace Toh from Paya Lebar

Chinese MC.

• Currently, there are 12 MMS missionaries from 7 Methodist churches in Singapore supporting church and community development ministries throughout Cambodia.

Do You Know…

Cambodia Ministry

• 1997 – Renovations to convert a donated,

72-room hotel into a school and church

were completed. The Methodist School of

Cambodia (MSC) opened with a class of 5

kindergarten children, and the Lord drew

10-15 people to worship at the Toul Kork

Methodist Church (TKMC).

• Today, more than 1,000 students attend preschool through 12th grade at MSC, and TKMC is the largest Methodist Church in Cambodia with 170 regular worshippers.

• 1999 – A week-long Sunday School

Teachers’ Training Programme was led by

MMS missionaries, who introduced the 1st

Khmer-translated teaching resources for

children.

• There are 154 Methodist churches located throughout Cambodia today, each with vibrant Sunday School programmes teaching nearly 4,000 children about Jesus Christ.

• 2000 – Cambodia Methodist Bible School

opened as a joint effort between MMS

(representing the Methodist Church in

Singapore or MCS), Korean Methodist

Church (KMC), GBGM (representing

the United Methodist Church), and the

World Federation of Chinese Methodist

Churches (WFCMC), to train pastors and

church workers for the Methodist Church in

Cambodia. • Today, the school offers a 4-year theological

training programme for students from throughout Cambodia called to serve the Lord.

6 | HARVEST FORCE

• 2001 - COSI (Community Outreach Services

- Immanuel), the first Methodist orphanage

in Cambodia, opened with 7 orphans aged

6 to 12 years old.

• Today, MMS has two residential living facilities for orphaned or abandoned children. COSI serves 120 children between ages 5 and 14, and COSY serves 35 youths ages 15 to 19.

• One of the first boys to come to COSI is now serving as a manager of our residential facility for children, after graduating first in his university engineering class. Presently, 32 youths are enrolled in universities through the Post COSI Integration Programme supported by Singaporean donors.

• 2003 – Formation of “The Mission of a

People Called Methodist” was jointly

declared by Bishops from MCS, KMC, GBGM

and WFCMC. This was the first formal step

taken towards establishing an Annual

Conference.

• Last year, the 6th Mission Conference Session of the Methodist Church in Cambodia was held. The first Khmer Missions Superintendent was appointed, with plans to appoint a Khmer Bishop in 2016.

• 2004 - A new and expanded facility for

the Emmaus Women’s Centre (EWC) was

built adjacent to COSI through generous

donations received from WSCS. This

programme was established to spiritually

equip and vocationally train young women

at risk.

• Over the years, EWC has impacted the lives of nearly 100 women from villages throughout Cambodia. They came to know Christ as their Saviour, and acquired skills to help support themselves and their families.

• While continuing to support the women’s ministry, the centre functions as an Eco-Lodge to host visiting teams from Singapore and for local church retreats. This is a vital step towards achieving financial sustainability.

• 2012 – The hostel ministry for university

students was launched with 21 students

staying in a rented premise.

• Today, there are 50 students staying at the expanded Methodist Hostel supported by Aldersgate MC. An additional hostel, supported by Foochow MC, is home to another 25 students. Hostelites regularly hold devotions, Bible study, and worship at a local Methodist Church.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of MMS’

ministries in Cambodia! Other initiatives

include a learning centre for children in one of

the poorest slums in Phnom Penh; scholarship

programmes for university students from

Methodist churches; and business-as-missions

programmes to help the poor within Methodist

communities.

The faithful support of Methodist churches in

Singapore has enabled MMS to start these

ministries by doing what was first necessary,

then what was possible, and today doing

what would be utterly impossible without the

grace of God!

Rev Teresa WilbornMMS Assistant Director of Community Development

MMS Country Coordinating Officer for Cambodia

FIELD FEATURE • CAMBODIA | 7 6 | HARVEST FORCE

柬埔寨教会知多少我在1993年第一次到柬埔寨时看到圣方济的这一句话。当时，有

人把这引句话写在金边卫理中心墙上的白板。尽管这些字是以

蓝色马克笔写在白板一个毫不起眼的小角落，但它对我来说却

是充满震撼力。

回顾20年来新加坡卫理宣教会在柬埔寨的工作时，令我想起这

句话。圣方济这句简单却有力的话反映了早期柬埔寨宣教士与义

工坚定的信念，坚持不懈的毅力和仆人心怀。

让我们一起回顾过去，放眼当下，细细回味上帝在当中的恩典：

• 1996 – 第一批宣教团抵达柬埔寨，当中包括来自三一年议会

雅德门堂的林宝莺（已故），大巴窑堂的林金婵和华人年议

会巴耶黎峇峇堂的卓淑华。

• 目前，共有来自新加坡7所教会的12个宣教士支援柬埔寨的教

会和社区拓展活动。

• 1997 – 一家拥有72间客房的旅馆被改装成学校和教堂。柬

埔寨卫理学校开办幼稚园，首批学生五人，10至15人开始在

堆谷卫理公会崇拜。

• 现在，超过1000名学生在柬埔寨卫理学校就读学前至高中教

育课程。堆谷卫理公会每周聚会人数维持在170名左右，是柬

埔寨最大的卫理教会。

• 1999 – 卫宣主办长达一周的主日学教师培训课程，并推出第

一批翻译成柬文的教材。

• 今天，全柬埔寨共有154 所卫理教会，每所教会都开办主日

学，将近4000 名孩童有机会认识耶稣。

• 2000 – 新加坡卫理宣教会（代表新加坡卫理公会）、韩国卫

理公会，美国联合卫理公会环球布道部和世界循道卫理宗华

人教会联会共同创办了柬埔寨卫理圣经学院，为柬埔寨的卫

理教会训练牧师和神职人员。

• 今天，圣经学校为全国蒙召献身的信徒提供四年的神学教育

课程。

• 2001 – 卫宣创办了柬埔寨的第一所卫理孤儿院－以马内利儿

童村暨孤儿院，收容7名6至12岁的孤儿。

• 现在，卫宣的儿童村拥有两座收容孤儿和被遗弃孩童的宿

舍，照顾120名5至14岁的孩童，青年宿舍则照顾35名15至19

岁的青少年。

• 儿童村第一批入住的孩童中，有一名以优异成绩完成大学工

程系学位，现在已成为儿童村的经理。目前，共有32名青年通

过新加坡信徒的赞助攻读大学。

• 2003 – 新加坡卫理公会、韩国卫理公会，美国联合卫理公会

环球布道部和世界循道卫理宗华人教会联会组成了一个议

会，为柬埔寨成立年议会迈出第一步。

• 去年，柬埔寨卫理教会主办第六届宣教议会，并委任第一位

柬埔寨宣教监督，也计划在2016年委任柬埔寨会督。

• 2004 – 通过新加坡总议会妇女会的慷慨捐助，以马忤斯妇

女中心在以马内利村旁侧建立起来。这个中心的目的在于为

边缘少女提供心理辅导，生命改造和技能的培训。

• 几年来，以马忤斯妇女中心对近100名来自柬埔寨各乡村的妇

女起了正面的影响。她们在那里认识并接受了主，也学会一门

谋生技能足以自养或帮补家庭。

• 除了继续原本的宗旨支持妇女事工，中心也是一所环保民宿，

接待来自新加坡的宣教队，提供场所让当地教会举办退修

会。这能帮助中心减少依赖外来资助。

• 2012 – 设立了大学生宿舍，21名学生入住一间租赁的房子。

• 今天，共有50名学生居住在雅德门堂资助扩建的卫理宿舍。

此外，福灵堂资助的宿舍也为25名学生提供住宿。宿舍内定

期定时有集体灵修及查经。学生们也参加当地教会的崇拜。

以上所列的绝对不是卫宣在柬埔寨所有的事工！其他事工还包

括在金边最穷的贫民窟设立学习中心；为当地卫理教会的大学

生设立奖学金；通过营商宣教来改变卫理社区内贫困居民的生

命。

新加坡众卫理教会多年来忠实的支持，让卫宣许多必要的事工

得以启始，再进行可能做得到的事工。今天，我们仍在执行许

多看似不可能，但是靠上帝恩典能成就的事工。

特丽莎牧师

卫宣社区拓展副主任

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Summary of Cambodia MinistryMinistry

Planting of Churches

and Preaching Points

(in cooperation with

the Methodist Church in

Cambodia MCC)

COSI Children’s Village

(COSI)

COSY (COS Youth) Hostel

PCOSIIP (Post COSI

Integration Programme)

Emmaus Women’s

Centre and COSEL

(COS Eco Lodge)

Methodist Hostel

Joy Hostel

Hope House

Methodist School of

Cambodia

Cambodian Methodist

Bible School

Description

To spread the Gospel by helping to establish

indigenous churches with local pastors in cities and

villages throughout Cambodia, and to support church

ministries with special focus on making disciples and

equipping.

To provide food, clothing, shelter, education and

spiritual guidance for about 113 poor and neglected

children, many of whom have been abandoned or

orphaned.

To provide food, clothing, shelter, education and

spiritual guidance for about 36 youth near their High

School.

To help the COSI kids successfully transition from a

sheltered environment back into society.

To provide spiritual, vocational, and educational

training for young women at risk. Upon completion of

the 12-month residential training program, they will be

equipped in biblical disciples hip and livelihood skills.

To provide room and board for 50 university students in

a safe, affordable, Christian environment.

To provide room and board for 22 university students in

a safe, affordable, Christian environment.

To provide a learning centre for slum children, and

to conduct weekly Sunday School and women’s

outreach.

To provide education for Cambodian children from

nursery through to Grade 12. Coursework is aligned

with the Khmer National Curriculum, with added

instruction in English, IT, and Christian Education.

To train the local pastors and lay leaders for the ministry

in the Methodist Church in Cambodia.

Partners and Supporting Churches

- Aldersgate MC

- Covenant Community MC

- Barker Road MC

- Trinity MC

- Christ MC

- Ang Mo Kio MC

- Bedok MC

- Faith MC

- Pentecost MC

- Bedok MC

- Queenstown Chinese MC

- Foochow MC

- Bedok MC

Multiple churches and donors

throughout Singapore

- GC-WSCS

- Bedok MC

- Queenstown Chinese MC

Aldersgate MC

Foochow MC

Aldersgate MC

Ang Mo Kio MC


OUR MISSIONARIES

Unique Fun Facts about Cambodia• The Cambodian flag is one of the two national flags that has an image of a

building – the Angkor Wat.

• The name of this country has changed several times throughout history: Kingdom of

Funan (ancient); Khmer Republic (1970); Democratic Kampuchea (Khmer Rouge);

and People’s Republic of Kampuchea (during Vietnamese occupation). Today, it is

officially called the Kingdom of Cambodia.

• The head is regarded as the highest part of the body and should not be touched

even in the kindest manner.

• It is considered disrespectful to let your feet or soles point at people or things, so the

feet must be tucked in when sitting.

• Prahok, a fermented fish paste also known as Cambodian cheese, is an acquired

taste for most foreigners. It is a common ingredient used in many Khmer dishes or as

a dipping sauce. It can also be eaten as a dish on its own right. It is its characteristic

salty tang that distinguishes Khmer cuisine from that of its neighbours.

Tan Li Diang Johnson & Josephine Lim Carol Loh(Bedok MC – PCOSIIP, (Bedok MC – COSY) (Bedok MC – Joy Hostel, PCOSIIP, MSC)

Emily Loo Carol Ong Doris Chan(Ang Mo Kio MC – COSI) (Toa Payoh MC – EWC, (Faith MC – COSI, Church) COSEL)

Jacob Cheng Chen Qiu Luan & Low Wee Teck Vimala Devi(Trinity MC – Church) (Aldersgate MC – Methodist Hostel, Hope House) (Christ MC – MSC)

10 | HARVEST FORCE

Pray with us...

Pray for the lifting of

spiritual darkness,

and for the light of

the gospel to shine on

society and individuals.

Pray for children and

women at risk

Pray for continued

freedom to share the

good news.

Pray the Church will grow

and be effective in

making disciples for the

next generation.

Pray for unity of

vision for our pastors,

church leaders and

missionaries.

Locations of MMS Ministries in Cambodia

1 Prek Omperl MC 8 Upper Room PP

2 Chress MC 9 COSI, EWC & COSEL

3 Prek Tual MC 10 COSY Hostel

4 Glory Trinity MC 11 Methodist Hostel

5 Krang Svay MC 12 Joy Hostel

6 Toul Kork MC & MSC 13 Hope House

7 Angsnoul PP 14 CMBS


3

1

611

1214

854

12 | HARVEST FORCE

Church PlantingChurch planting has been an ongoing task since the

Methodists from various countries responded to the

missions call to Cambodia. To date, there are 30 local

churches, 67 preaching points and 57 outreach points

which come under the Methodist Church in Cambodia.

Being committed to missions, and connected as

Methodists, several Methodist Churches in Singapore

came alongside as partners to the Methodist Churches in

Cambodia. This partnership has been crucial in supporting

their current needs, and preparing them to be self-

sustaining in future.

Projecting ahead, partnered churches are committed to

the development of the future generation. They provide

scholarship and education programmes to children and

youth. With prayer and discipleship, we trust that they will

be a blessing to their society, and will faithfully commit to

God’s work and serve in their churches.

In reaching out to the communities, mission teams

from partnered churches play vital roles in serving the

communities through medical care, enrichment courses,

children’s programmes and livelihood projects. They are

living witnesses of Christian love and compassion to needy

communities. Indirectly, such efforts contribute much to

the pastoral and outreach ministry of the local churches

when their pastors lead their members to serve and to

share the Gospel.

Currently, while we are amazed by the fast development

of the country, many li struggling to keep up with

the unbearable rise in the cost of living. 90% of the

Cambodians live in rural villages, and 18% are living below

the poverty line. As many churches are reaching out to

the poor, most of their funding depends on the support of

foreign partner churches.

In anticipation of the ever widening gap between the cost

of property and the financial ability of Cambodian church

“By journeying together for extending God’s Kingdom, the partnership is a holistic approach to

missions.”

“By journeying together for extending God’s Kingdom, the partnership is a holistic approach to

missions.”

PREK OMPAL METHODIST CHURCH


members, some partner churches took the step of faith to

pay for the land and building costs for local churches.

Prek Ompel Methodist Church has been partnered by

Aldersgate Methodist Church since 2003. Aldersgate MC

supported the purchase of the land and construction

of the church building, which was dedicated in

November 2014. They have been sending mission teams

to encourage and equip the youths, and are active in

community outreach.

Covenant Community Methodist Church supported the

purchase of land and building construction for Chress

Methodist Church, and the church was dedicated in

September 2012. Chress Methodist Church has grown

from strength to strength. Outreach ministries including

computer classes, Children’s Club and livelihood projects

have been introduced.

Barker Road Methodist Church supported Prek Tual

Methodist Church from the time the congregation there

was surrounded by poor communities living amongst

rubbish dumps. In response to educational needs, a

kindergarten was established. Barker Road MC provided

the land and building for the Church and Kindergarten.

Trinity Methodist Church has partnered Glory Trinity

Methodist Church and has been faithfully journeying

with them as they face many challenges. Likewise,

Christ Methodist Church has partnered with Krang Svay

Methodist Church. They have supported the renting of

premises for the church, and are actively involved in their

ministry and future development.

Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church has been encouraging

Toul Kork Methodist Church and supporting its ministry in

various ways. They are also intending to assist other village

churches.

For church planting, Bedok Methodist Church supported

a preaching point in Angsnoul. Faith Methodist Church

supported a church planting effort in Kandal province

called Upper Room. 15 members of its members were

baptised last year.

Partnership is about people. Discipleship and ministry are

mainly realised through sincere relationships built with

encouragement, guidance, prayer and obeying the Word

of God. The partnership is not just about help and financial

support, but about God’s love, and the commitment

to build one another as faithful disciples. By journeying

together for extending God’s Kingdom, the partnership is

a holistic approach to missions.

Jacob ChengMMS Missionary in Cambodia and

MMS Country Director for Cambodia

CHRESS METHODIST CHURCH

Pray for the Methodist Church in Cambodia

Pray that the local Pastors, Leaders

and Church members to grow

in spiritual depth and vision for

discipleship.

Pray for our MMS Missionaries to

have good health, wisdom and

unity in vision.

Pray for spiritual darkness to be

dispelled and that God’s light will

shine through in the country.

Pray for more churches to come

forward to be Partner Churches.

You can be involved by:

• being a Partner Church with our local

churches.

• sending mission teams for community

outreach.

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植堂－宣教的最终目标

早自各地卫理教会回应柬埔寨的宣教呼声以来，植堂一直是

大家宣教最终目标。至今，柬埔寨卫理宣教会已植立了30间教

会，67个宣教点以及57个外展聚会点。

卫理公会是联系的教会，许多忠于宣教使命的新加坡堂会于是

和柬埔寨卫理公会结成伙伴，支援本地教会当前的需要，进一

步也为这些教会往后的自立铺路。伙伴教会有远见于栽培教会

信徒与下一代，为儿童及青少提供奖学金及教育课程，也通过祷

告的支持和信仰培育帮助信徒成长。我们相信这些蒙福的信徒

将会大大地祝福他们的社群，并忠心委身于上帝的事工及教会

的服侍。

在社区外展上，来自伙伴教会的宣教队扮演了很重要的角色。他

们通过提供医疗保健，深广课程，儿童节目和维生计划服侍社

区。他们在有需要关怀的社体中活出基督徒该有的关爱与怜悯。

他们的付出与对社区的贡献，对本地牧者带领会友在社区服侍

及分享福音信息时间接起了很大的作用。

尽管柬埔寨这个国家的发展迅速，仍然有许多人在日益高涨的的

生活费中挣扎求存。90％的柬埔寨人居住在乡村里，18％生活在

贫穷线下。本地教会在这些社体的外展经费，大部分都需要依赖

海外伙伴教会的资助。

考虑到柬埔寨教会的经济能力远远追不上节节高升的地产市

场，一些伙伴教会踏出信心的步伐，为本地教会提供了土地及

建筑。

卫理公会雅德门堂在2003年和Prek Ompel卫理公会结成伙伴

教会，为他们提供资金购买土地及建筑教会，并在2014年11月献

堂。雅德门堂一直以来都差派短宣队来培育本地的青少年，也积

极参与当地的社区外展事工。

Covenant Community 卫理公会也为Chress卫理公会提供资

金购买土地及教会建筑费。2012年9月，教堂竣工献堂，教会也

茁壮成长。外展事工包括电脑班，儿童俱乐部以及维生计划。

巴克路堂很久以前就认领Prek Tual卫理公会。那一区属于贫民

区，附近还有垃圾收集场。为了照顾这些贫民孩童的教育需要

，巴克路卫理公会为教会购买了土地建筑幼稚园及教堂。

三一堂在成为荣耀三一卫理公会的伙伴后，尽管后者面临很多

挑战，仍然忠实地一路陪伴扶持。同样的，基督堂在认领Krang

Svay卫理公会后，也资助教会的租金，并积极参与教会的事工及

未来的发展计划。

三一年议会宏茂桥堂持续通过不同的管道给予堆谷教会很大的

鼓励与事工上的支持。他们也在考虑扩大关爱的范围，去协助其

他乡村教会。

在植堂事工上，勿洛堂资助了安士诺区的一个宣教点。思珍堂

在干丹省也植立了Upper Room，去年有15名会友受洗。

伙伴间的关系很重要，唯有通过互相鼓励关怀，祷告，顺服真

道，建立真诚互信的关系，才能培育、塑造信徒及推展事工。结

为伙伴不是单单提供经济资助，还必须怀着上帝的大爱去爱对

方，委身培育他人成为忠实的门徒。在携手共同扩展上帝国度的

道路上，整全的宣教不能缺少伙伴这一环。

张绍群宣教士

卫宣柬埔寨主任

The mission trip to Cambodia from 11 to 14 December 2014 was a very

interesting, and meaningful experience for me. Being the first mission

trip that I have ever been on, I did not entirely know what to expect

to see or do throughout the entire trip. Nevertheless, it was really

amazing to have seen God working in many different ways and I truly

enjoyed the time that I had there.

Even from the first day that we arrived in Cambodia, we could see

God working through the various people in the missions committee.

On that day, the youth from both Chress Methodist Church (CMC) and

Covenant Community Methodist Church (CCMC) were playing futsal

on the roof and I unluckily scraped the floor with my foot. It ended up

bleeding quite a bit and it just so happened that CMC had run out of

bandaging materials. However, Uncle Raymond had decided to bring

a packet of gauze for no apparent reason and we ended up using

that to help me patch up my wound; a coincidence that I can only

attribute to God speaking to Uncle Raymond.

Due to my injury, I could not help to build the carpark in CMC and

ended up helping in a worship workshop that was conducted at

CMC. The worship workshop concluded quite nicely with CCMC

imparting some of our knowledge to them. In my opinion, there was

much improvement to how they sounded after the workshop and it

was evident in the actual church service on Sunday.

“The entire service was in Khmer and it did not matter, we could still worship with our hearts.”

16 | HARVEST FORCE

My First Mission Trip to Chress Methodist Church

ABOVE A morning service in Chress Methodist Church BELOW Mission Trip to Chress Methodist Church

CCMC Mission Team

FIELD FEATURE • CAMBODIA | 17

16 | HARVEST FORCE

We also visited the families around CMC to

bless them with gift packs containing food as

well as to pray for them. It was amazing to see

God touching the lives of the villagers around

us when we prayed for them. Some with tears

in their eyes. We could see that even though

they did not understand our prayers in English,

God could still touch them.

On the day of the church service, God also

was touching our lives. The entire service was

in Khmer and it did not matter, we could still

worship with our hearts. And it still felt great

to connect with God. It was also nice to see

many churchgoers who offered to help us by

translating the Khmer service into English so

that we could understand.

Overall, I felt that the Cambodia trip not only

helped the people at CMC but it also helped

me develop as a person and as a believer. My

most important takeaway is that language

really does not matter when it comes to God.

All that matters is the heart to worship and a

desire to know Him more.

Samuel ChianCovenant Community Methodist Church

My First Mission Trip to Chress Methodist Church

FIELD FEATURE • CAMBODIA | 17

The Upper Room

In 2010, a Bible School 4th year student was

assigned to Prek Riang Village to reach out to

the villagers there. The work was slow going

as there was no proper place to gather for

outreach activities. As most of the people

around there were womenfolk, two girls,

Bopha and Chorvin, were recruited to help

reach out to these villagers.

In October 2010, some premises was located

and we rented the room upstairs to house

the two workers. It was also a place to begin

outreach ministries. Hence the place was

named The Upper Room.

“I understand the Bible better through the teachings at Upper Room.”

Testimony of Thida

I came to Upper Room when it started in

December 2010. I came here to play and I did

not know Jesus at that time. I learnt English and

attended the Sunday School. I liked coming to

Upper Room. When my mother wanted to take

me back to her village which is very far from

Upper Room, I prayed and asked God to let me continue coming

to Upper Room. God answered my prayers.

Since my baptism, I know that my faith has grown. Now I trust God

more because I know He is always there to help me. I understand

the Bible better through the teachings at Upper Room. It is my

hope that many more people will come to know the true God and

experience the goodness of God and have their lives changed.

18 | HARVEST FORCE

Pray for Upper Room

Pray for the new believers to be

anchored in their faith in Christ.

Pray that the children will be

touched by God’s love and

faithfully attend the learning

programme.

Pray for strength and joy for the

ministry workers. Pray that they

may be encouraged to serve

faithfully and bear much fruits with

God’s help.

Pray for a smooth transition as

the ministry become an official

preaching point under the

Methodist Church in Cambodia.

The Upper Room


Under the coaching of Doris Chan, an MMS Missionary,

the two workers began English classes for the children in

the village. Through the contacts from the classes, the two

workers began regular visitation to the homes of these

children, and slowly developed a relationship with them.

The English classes reached out to about 25 children who

also started attending Sunday School from January 2011.

Through the visitations, the gospel was shared to the

parents of the children. In mid 2012, a cell group was

started for three parents who were responsive to the

Gospel. Several youth and children also started to join in

the worship and Bible Study. By the end of 2014, this group

has grown to a regular congregation of 18 persons.

And when the rest of the premises was available, we

rented the two other rooms downstairs for to expand the

activities of the centre.

Faith Methodist Church is supporting the ministries of

Upper Room. In February 2015, 14 persons were baptised.

As the ministry continues to grow, it is our desire that Upper

Room be constituted a Preaching Point in the Methodist

Church in Cambodia.

Currently, Upper Room is a rented house with two rooms

downstairs and a big room upstairs. There are two lay

workers. And it has the following programmes under the

leadership of Bopha and Malis:

• Sunday worship – averaging 18-20 worshippers

• Sunday School – 15 children

• 4 English classes of different levels – 30 children and

youths

• 2 computer classes – 17 youths and children

• Visitation and outreach programmes

Doris ChanMMS Missionary in Cambodia

Testimony of Cheatey

I came to Upper Room in 2013 to

attend the English classes. I was in

Grade 7 then. I enjoyed the lessons.

I liked the people at Upper Room

where I felt loved and encouraged. Soon, I believed

in Jesus and wanted to know Him personally. After

I became a Christian I wanted to share the Gospel

with my friends. Initially they refused to listen and

always interrupted me and distracted me. I asked

God to help me and to help my friends to listen to the

Gospel. After a few weeks, I noticed that some of my

friends were more attentive although a few still tried

to interrupt my sharing. Although three of my friends

have not believed yet, they are now open to listen to

the Word of God. I pray that they will one day believe

in Jesus too.

In February this year, I received water baptism.

Although my family is not Christian, my parents

allowed me to be baptised. I am very happy. That

night, I woke up and I felt like I was a new person; I no

longer feared darkness and I knew that I have a new

life in Jesus. My hope and prayer is that God will also

save my family and friends, and grant them the gift of

salvation.

Eang Chanthin

Veasna Tav

20 | HARVEST FORCE

Pray for COSI

Pray for the children to grow in character

values taught to them.

Pray for the children and staff to grow in

spiritual depth.


• sponsoring the children through SSS

• training the staff

• running programmes for the children

• running outreach programmes for the surrounding

village

Here are two interviews with our ex-COSI residents, Eang Chanthin (EC) and

Veasna Tav (VT), who are back in COSI to serve.

Chanthin, you grew up in COSI. Tell us about yourself and how you have come to be on staff at COSI now.

I came to COSI in 2002 when I was 11 years old. I am very thankful to God for the

opportunity to have been brought up in COSI. Here I learnt about God’s love for

me. I know God and His forgiveness. And I received His gift of salvation. I feel very

blessed and God gave me wisdom to understand His Word.

Today, I have finished my University studies and have graduated with a degree in

accountancy. I manage the accounts of COS (Community Outreach Services)

which includes COSI and Emmaus. I am also a House leader, looking after 20 girls

from Grade 1 to 9.

I know I have been blessed and so I want to be a blessing to the other COSI kids by

coming back here to serve. I can teach them, encourage them and show them

the love of God. I want to help the children to know how to put God first in their

lives and also to be grateful for God’s blessings so that when they grow up, they will

know how to give to others out of what they have received.

As I look at COSI now, as compared to the time when I was here as a kid, I see

some differences. In the past, the staff did all the leading

in our worship and devotions. But today, even the Grade

5 children are brave enough to help lead in worship.

Also today, the Cambodian staff is taking on more of a

leadership role. One very obvious difference is that all

the trees have grown. The place is greener. Today we are

enjoying the fruits of the trees planted years ago.

Veasna, you have graduated with an engineering degree, and as a COSI boy, this is a great achievement. Tell us how you feel. And why have you come back to serve in COSI as a manager?

I feel it has been such a great privilege for me to be

chosen to be a COSI kid and to have had the opportunity

to know the true God, Jesus Christ as my Saviour.

The thing that motivated me to come back to COSI is to

give back what I have received as a child. I want to help

COS-Immanuel Children’s Village (COSI)


“The mission of COSI is outreach. I want every child in COSI to know God personally and to be able to share the Gospel to others, to their families and friends.”

the kids now to also appreciate

the privilege that they have

today and to encourage them

to study hard so they can have

a future. God gives us the

opportunity but we must also do

our part to work hard to produce

the fruitful results.

The mission of COSI is outreach. I

want every child in COSI to know

God personally and to be able

to share the Gospel to others, to

their families and friends.

How will I achieve this? First of all, I

want every COSI child to be able

to read. Then they will be able to

read the Word of God and know

God better and deeper. I also

want to train the COSI children in

Christian values so that they will

be the salt and light of the world,

wherever they are.

I also want the children to learn

life-skills so that they will be

prepared for life outside COSI,

- skills like cooking, farming,

maintenance, first aid and

leadership.

Thank you Veasna for sharing with us. Can you tell us how we can support you, and in what tangible ways can we be of help to you to achieve your goals for COSI?

First, pray for us. Second, pray for

us. Keep us in prayer so God will

provide us all our needs.

Doris ChanMMS Missionary in Cambodia

Editor’s Note: COSI has been exploring

Income Generating Projects (IGP). It is

working on farming the land to grow

vegetables. There are different varieties

of vegetable to supplement the

needs of COSI. COSI also rears fishes

like snakehead, tilapia and catfish.

Interesting, it also rears crickets, which

is served as healthy snacks for the

children and are also fed to the fish.

COS-Immanuel Children’s Village (COSI)

VILLAGE OUTREACHCOSY (COS Youth) Hostel is a hostel for youth studying in Grade 10 to

12 in Hun Sen High School which is nearby. Otherwise, it is not practical

nor cost-effective to ferry these former COSI youth around 12km from

COSI to school every day.

The hostel can accommodate at least 36 young people at one time.

They are between 15 and 17 years old and have more time of their

own for self-study, bible reading, tuition, and quiet time. The hostel is

managed by a missionary couple, Johnson and Josephine Lim, from

Bedok Methodist Church.

There is devotion every morning at 5.00am from Monday to Friday. The

night vesper is conducted by Rev Sophal (Monday to Wednesday)

and the missionary couple (Thursday and Friday). As John Wesley has

said, we are to care for their health, education, and their spiritual walk

with the Lord. This is very challenging but fruitful.

22 | HARVEST FORCE

COSY (COS Youth) Hostel

“They have learnt patience, love in action, and forgiveness, and have grown in their faith.”

MAUNDY THURSDAY

Here’s an account of the recent Holy Week:

COSY Hostel has never celebrated the week of Good

Friday. Every year, it clashes with the Khmer New Year

holidays when all the youth go back to their hometown

to celebrate. It is an opportunity for them to spend time

with their relatives once a year. It is also a time for them to

spread the Gospel to the villages.

Good Friday marks the day when wrath and mercy met

at the cross. That is why Good Friday is so dark and so

good. Good Friday is entirely appropriate because the

suffering and death of Jesus, as terrible as it was, marked

the dramatic culmination of God’s plan to save His people

from their sins.

Maundy Thursday A service was held at Antioch Church together with

Rev Sophal, COSY youth, and some of the village youth

in the evening from 7.30pm till 9pm. It was a time of

remembering our Lord Jesus Christ and forgiveness among

ourselves. The youth experienced the presence of the

Holy Spirit during the time of prayers of forgiveness and for

experiencing His presence.

Good Friday

PALM SUNDAY


Pray for COSY Hostel

Pray for a suitable couple or single lady to work be the house parent(s).

Pray that the youth will walk in the walk of the Lord and make godly choices.

The youth were at a day camp

at Antioch Church. After the

morning worship and prayer,

the invited speakers spoke

on God’s love. The youth also

did community work at the

surrounding villages by picking up

rubbish. The other programmes

included fasting and praying,

worshipping, and washing of

feet. The youth were touched by

their friends’ strong faith in God,

especially in their holding on to

the fast and spending time with

God.

Holy Saturday The youth went mountain

climbing at Kirrirom province.

They also distributed food to

10 poor families in the village.

Each COSY Hostel youth offered

his US$1 allowance. They also

raised another US$60 by selling

unwanted stuff. It was a time of

experiencing how Jesus Christ

endured the suffering and a time

of giving of themselves to Him.

GOOD FRIDAY

DAY BEFORE EASTEREaster SundayWe celebrated Jesus Christ’s victory over

death with songs, skits, testimonies and KFC

Burgers for lunch! It was a joyous occasion

after what they had gone through during the

holy week.

This was the first occasion on which they

observed Holy Week to celebrate how good

our Lord is. It touched the youth who have

learnt to give of themselves to Him. It was

inspiring to witness them experiencing the

presence of God during the time of prayer

and fasting. They have learnt patience, love

in action, and forgiveness, and have grown in

their faith.

ALL GLORY TO GOD!

Johnson and Josephine LimMMS Missionaries in Cambodia

24 | HARVEST FORCE

EASTER

FUND RAISING


26 | HARVEST FORCE

Post COSI Integration Programme

“Investing in their education is an

investment in the future of their

countries and our world.”

The COSI Children’s Village was established as a

residential facility to provide food, clothing, shelter,

education and spiritual guidance for about 120 poor and

neglected Cambodians between the ages of six and 18.

These children were abandoned, orphaned or came from

broken homes.

Over the years, as COSI children grew into teenagers,

MMS recognised the need to help them successfully

transition from a sheltered environment back into society.

Today, students in grades 10-12 are living off-campus at

the COSY (COS Youth) Hostel in Bike Chan, within walking

distance of their public high school. As they continue to

grow spiritually and academically, they also learn to cook,

clean, and market on their own.

When students graduate from high school and leave

COSY Hostel, they become eligible for the Post COSI

Integration Programme (PCOSIIP). Depending on

their aspirations and academic abilities, they enter

either universities or vocational training programmes.

Counselling and financial support are provided for the

duration of their education.

PCOSIIP was launched in 2009 when the first batch of

eight COSI youth graduated from Grade 12. Under the

partnership of the Pentecost Methodist Church and Bedok

Methodist Church, the Run4COSI, a fund-raising event,

was organised. Together with the regular support from

sponsors, the funds raised have supported the youth over

the years.

Currently, there are 32 youth under this sponsorship

programme. Through the years, many have graduated,

found jobs and are independent. Some of them have

come back to us and are employed as Administrators,

Accountants, House Leaders and the Manager of COSI.

The children are indeed grateful to God for providing

sponsors who faithfully support them through the years.

These sponsors not only give financially, they also find

time to visit and encourage them. Other sponsors

who communicated through letters also forged strong

COSI Grade 1-9

COSY Grade 10-12

PCOSIIP Tertiary or

vocational training


Post COSI Integration Programme

relationships with the children. These young people have come to know God and

are enjoying a personal relationship with Him.

A steering committee meets quarterly to approve new applicants, review the

status of current participants, and act on all matters related to policy and finances.

PCOSIIP funds are used to cover tuition and living costs for eligible students. The

committee also approves loans for students who need to purchase motorbikes.

Each student is expected to repay the loan prior to graduation. The committee has

expanded the scope of PCOSIIP by establishing a special scholarship programme

for youth who want to become teachers or pastors.

In support of PCOSIIP and deserving students in other countries, MMS has

established a Scholarship Fund (for tertiary education) for youth who would

otherwise never be able to afford continuing education. These youth will become

tomorrow’s leaders in government, business and the church. Investing in their

education is an investment in the future of their countries and our world.

If you are interested in finding out more or making a donation, please contact us at

[email protected] or 6478 4818. Thank you!

Rev Teresa WilbornMMS Assistant Director of Community Development and

MMS Country Coordinating Officer for Cambodia

Emmaus Women’s Centre (EWC) is a ministry reaching

out to young Cambodian women, empowering them

with livelihood and life skills, and enabling them to

discover their God-given potential for transformation

and a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

Since it started in the year 2000, EWC has witnessed

many batches of young women coming through its

doors. Some have gone on to serving in the ministry,

others have found employment in factories, while some

others have successfully carved out a small business for

themselves in the area of dress-making, and yet there

are others who have married and started families of their

own.

Currently, EWC runs a two-year programme in livelihood

skill training which includes discipleship, training in dress-

making, cooking and baking, literacy and language

learning, and training in other life skills, and personal and

character development.

Over the past three years, we have seen a decline in

the yearly intake of students. Many young women quit

school and, though still underaged, sought employment

in local factories or overseas such as Malaysia, Thailand

and South Korea, in order to support their family and

to help clear mounting debts. Therefore, to counter this

challenge, COSEL (Community Outreach Services Eco

Lodge) was set up in 2014 to enable women in EWC to

earn some pocket money as they train and work with

us. With COSEL, we aim for sustainability for the ministry

Emmaus Women’s Centre an d COS Eco Lodge

“They can put to use whatever talents and

gifts the Lord has blessed them with, so that they

can become a blessing to others.”

28 | HARVEST FORCE

Emmaus Women’s Centre an d COS Eco Lodge

Testimony of Savy

Savy’s life was miserable and pitiful. Ill-treated by her

stepfather, her life was hard. She came to know the Lord

but faced persecution at home, so she left home. With

no money, she could not continue school. So she worked

in various jobs in factories and some organisations. At

times, she had nothing; not even a dollar in her pocket.

But God always miraculously provided for her. People,

whom she did not know, gave her money and treated

her to meals. The favour of the Lord was upon her: the

leaders in the organisation she worked with started to

train her to manage petty cash and teach children.

Then she met her future husband and was match-made

by his brother who saw her good character. They got

on very well and loved each other, and got married.

But after marriage, he began to change gradually. He

became very jealous whenever she was in the presence

of other men. He scolded her often, and began to find

fault with her for every small little thing. He complained

that the food she cooked was not delicious, and that

she was lazy, even though she worked hard to look after

their child, keep the house, and cook meals. Then he

began to stray. He had extra-marital relations, even

when she was expecting their second child. She was

heart-broken and cried often. Later, he broached the

subject of divorce, and wanted her to sign the papers

immediately.

From then onward, she decided she would only live

for God, commit her life to serving Him, and share the

gospel of Jesus Christ with others. She wanted to start

her life anew. She knew that she needed a skill so that

she can support her two children and give them a hope

for the future. She is so grateful to be able to come

to EWC even though applications for the intake had

closed.

Savy finished her training and graduated in 2013. She

is currently working in a dress-making shop in Phnom

Penh, which also gives her the opportunity to receive

further in-house training as she works with them. Her two

children are in the care of her mother. She misses her

children and wants very much to have them with her but

she knows that her current situation does not permit that.

She asks for prayers that she would continue to grow in

love and knowledge of the Lord, and that one day her

life goal will be fulfilled. She has heard from a pastor

that one must have a goal in life. She thought about it

and committed herself to make it a goal in life to help

other women who are facing the same situation as what

she has faced – difficult background and unfaithful

husband. She hopes to open her own small dress-

making business, and employ these women who need

help, and minister to them the love of God.


at EWC. And with COSEL, our

outreach to the surrounding

villages is enhanced.

COSEL occupies two blocks

of buildings in EWC, used as

accommodation and dining-

cum-meeting facilities for school

teams who come to Cambodia

for community development

projects. The EWC trainees

provide hospitality services -

cleaning, cooking and serving

- and through it, they gain

work experience, build self-

confidence, cultivate good work

ethics and habits. They can put to

use whatever talents and gifts the

Lord has blessed them with, so

that they can become a blessing

to others.

Carol Loh

MMS Missionary in Cambodia

30 | HARVEST FORCE

Pray for EWC & COSEL

Pray for new students to join the intake this year.

Pray for the staff and girls to be able to juggle their

learning and training with meeting the demands of

hosting and catering for school teams.

Pray for a new ministry staff when CMBS intern (Srey

Neang) completes internship in July. Pray for a project

personnel to handle COSEL work.

Pray for wisdom and good health for the staff and girls.

Pray for the favour of the Lord upon EWC and COSEL


• teaching English and/or Chinese

• sharing devotions and giving encouragement

• teaching life skills like cooking, baking, first-aid and safety,

and other topics like character development, self-esteem,

communication skills, marriage and family life

• helping to design new handicraft for students to sew for sale, and

to promote sales of handicrafts

• promoting COSEL to school teams

Methodist Hostel

“Through these programmes, many have experienced God in an intimate manner.”


Students who came from the provinces to study in the university in

Phnom Penh used to live in temples. Various Christian organisations

saw this need and responded by starting Christian hostels in Phnom

Penh.

Dr Seet Ai Mee, from Aldersgate Methodist Church (AMC), received

a dream from God to set up a hostel for university students that will

be run by the locals. Sponsored by AMC, the Methodist Hostel was

birthed from this dream she received from God. They started by renting

a shophouse that could provide for the needs of 20 odd students.

Though the students all came from diverse backgrounds, they learnt

to live together and grew in Christian unity. In that midst, they had to

adjust to the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh and life as university

students.

Christian leaders were assigned to both the boys’ and girls’ dormitories.

Short-term mission teams brought encouragement to the students.

Testimony of Visal (current boarder)

I was not a Christian when I came to the hostel. But through the

worship and bible study, I started to believe in Jesus. I come from

Banteay Menchay province and my family is very poor. I want

to study in the university so that I can get a good job to help my

family in the future. My parents had to borrow money from family

and friends to send me to Phnom Penh. When I started to stay at

the hostel, I kept hearing the fellow students praying for God to

help them. So I decided to try and pray to this God as well. And

though my belief in God increased, my situation did not change.

I tried to apply for scholarship so that my parents need not worry

about my school fees. For two whole years I prayed, but God did

not provide a way out for me. All the brothers and sisters in the

hostel continued to encourage me.

32 | HARVEST FORCE

Pray for Methodist Hostel

Pray for the youth to walk in the

ways of the Lord and make godly

choices.

Pray for some of the youth to

receive Christ as Saviour.

Pray for the Christians to be faith

disciples and witnesses for the

Lord with good testimonies.

Pray for the youth to manage

their time and priorities well..

Pray the weekly Thursday night

Service to impact the life of

students as they worship God.

I come from a family of seven children. My parents

are farmers and they plant rice. My family’s income is

uncertain as we usually harvest enough to feed the

family. My brother was the only one who supported

the family financially and he earned about US$100 per

month.

I have been worshiping in Prek Omperl Methodist

Church (POMC) for about 10 years. When I passed my

Grade 12 National Examination, I really wanted to study

at the university, but my family was too poor to send me

to university. Then Pastor Ratana shared with me about

the scholarship and I applied for it. I was chosen and

managed to enrol into a local university in Phnom Penh

to study Accounting for four years.

So I left my home when I was 21 years old and stayed

in the Methodist Hostel throughout my university years.

Pastor Ratana was the one who told me about this

hostel. In the hostel, I was able to study the Bible deeper

and to know more about God. Every Sunday, I would

travel back to my church in Prek Omperl Village to

worship in the church where I grew up. I enjoy singing

songs about God and listening to Pastor Ratana share

about God.

Now that I have graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in

Accounting, I am working as a quality control manager

in a factory. I am thankful to God and also to my family

for their endless support. I am also thankful towards

Aldersgate Methodist Church for putting me through

university. I want to help my family members and people

from the church in their studies. At the moment, with

the commitments that I have, I can only support a part

of my sister’s monthly allowance as she stays at the

Methodist Hostel. But once I get a pay rise, I hope to

contribute more and give back to my own people.

Testimony of Srey Neang (ex-boarder)


Through these interactions, both students and

team members experienced a broadening

of perspectives. The hostel provided a non-

threatening atmosphere for pre-believing

students to come and experience the love

of God. Devotions and Bible study were

structured for all students. Through these

programmes, many have experienced God in

an intimate manner.

The Methodist Hostel continues to serve

the growing needs of students flocking into

Phnom Penh to receive an undergraduate

degree. Since July 2012, we have moved to

a new location after AMC purchased two

adjoining shophouses. We currently have

50 students living in the hostel. May the Lord

continue to use this ministry to raise up a

generation of His servants in Cambodia.

Low Wee Teck and Chen QiuluanMMS Missionaries in Cambodia

Football Match (Prize-giving)

34 | HARVEST FORCE

Joy Hostel

“Ever since the hostel started, at least 10 youth prayed to receive Christ and were baptised.”

Joy Hostel started with a vision from Thida

Sot, the Hostel Manager. She graduated from

Cambodian Methodist Bible School and was

working with some Singaporeans on a slum

outreach project. On 5 January 2013, Joy

Hostel was dedicated for ministry under the

MMS.

The purpose of the hostel was to provide

a safe shelter for poor University students

from the provinces while they are studying

in Phnom Penh. These young people came

mainly through the recommendation of the

pastors from the Methodist churches in the

provinces. The hostel is open to taking in both

Christian and non-Christian youth. Presently,

there are about 20 youth staying in the Hostel.

Ever since the hostel started, at least 10 youth prayed to

receive Christ and were baptised.

The activities in the hostel include daily devotions in order

to nurture the Christians and, at the same time, introduce

the Gospel to the non-believers. Twice a year, a team from

Foochow Methodist Church comes to provide training

using the Mathetes Discipleship Series. The hostelites are

encouraged to share their faith with their fellow students,

friends and family. They worship and join in other church

activities at a local Methodist Church in the vicinity.

They are also in a ministry that reaches out to the slum

children and their families. Together with Aldersgate

Methodist Church, MMS rented a place called the Hope

House where children from the slum area are provided

with tuition and meals. They also provide medical care for

both the children and adults in the slum area.


Pray for Joy Hostel

Pray for the youth to walk in the ways of the Lord and

make godly choices.

Pray for a good network with other companies and

NGOs so that the students can find jobs that match their

skills and talents.

Pray that God will reveal Himself to the two pre-believer

students.

Pray that the 20 Christian students will grow in stronger

faith as disciples of Christ.

The boys in the hostel formed a football team

and have regular matches with the youth

from other hostels and churches. Other hostel

programmes include computer classes and

spiritual disciplines like prayer, devotion, and

evening vespers. They have fellowship to

celebrate birthdays every month and during

festive occasions.

We thank God for the ministry of Joy Hostel

because lives have been touched. We also

praise Him for providing people like Thida,

Kongsreng, Dr Seet, Mrs Lucy Yeo and the

team from Foochow Methodist Church. They

have contributed and supported the ministry

in one way or another.

Carol Loh

MMS Missionary in Cambodia

Mealtime

Prayer Night • Hostel Fellowship • Computer Lessons or Class

36 | HARVEST FORCE

Pray for Hope House

Pray for the children to learn

well because many come from

illiterate background.

Pray that there will be a full time

local teacher.

Pray for wisdom and strength

for the managers as they run

the daily operation of the house

and lead the team to reach out

to the community in the slum.

Pray for direction and vision to

have a ministry that can best

reach out to the community.

Hope House is a slum ministry which was started in 2008 by a

Cambodian couple, Sreng and Thida. It is located in the middle of the

Chbah Ompov slum. Since it started, they have moved a few times.

The initial focus of the ministry was with children from HIV infected

families.

In 2012, Dr Seet Ai Mee played an instrumental role in connecting a

sponsor with Hope House. As a result, Hope House was able to expand

its ministry to serve a larger group of children by offering a literacy

programme. This programme has managed to keep some children

off the streets and give them a means to break away from the vicious

cycle of poverty. This also marks the first time that Hope House was

able to run their programme in a conducive environment. Previously,

they had to meet under the Monivong Bridge and inside a cramped

wooden shophouse.

Aldersgate Methodist Church (AMC) officially adopted this ministry

at the start of 2015. Prior to this, AMC had been sending short-term

mission teams to support the efforts of Hope House. AMC seeks to

empower the community of the slum through education and by

addressing social concerns.

Low Wee Teck and Chen QiuluanMMS Missionaries in Cambodia

Hope House

“This programme has managed to keep some children off the streets and give them a means to break away from the vicious cycle of poverty.”


The Kindergarten at the Methodist School

of Cambodia is the place where I have

been working for the past 15 years. Here are

some snippets of joy I experienced at the

Kindergarten.

Chandraproney was just a little girl who was

in the Kindergarten in 2000. She went on to

finish her Grade 12. She later got married and

invited her classmates and I for the wedding.

What a day of joy to see the beautiful bride.

Kalyan was my Kindergarten pupil in 1999 and

left after Primary 2. But she came back to us

from Grade 9 to Grade 12. Now she is teaching

the Nursery class at our Kindergarten.

She is very happy to be back in MSC. She

exclaimed, “It is the best school I have ever

attended. The place, the teachers, the

programmes, the visiting teams, the students,

the friends, the employers, the school fees

were all so good. I am so proud.”

Koon Neang, the Kindergarten Supervisor,

has been teaching English at K2 for seven

years. She says, “Working with the children has

taught me to control my negative attitude,

especially anger, and to play along with

them. I enjoy teaching Bible lessons to the

children. I have grown in faith and Bible

knowledge during my time here.”

Samneang is the Manager at the

Kindergarten for two years. He says, “I love to

“The children with their joyful faces

greet us every morning and

brighten our day.”

38 | HARVEST FORCE

MSC Kindergarten

The Little Faces That Light Up Our World

Happy Mother’s Day! The excited children are taking home a card for Mother’s Day.

Koon Nearng in K2.

Pray for MSC Kindergarten

Pray for teachers to have the joy

to serve and see God’s purpose

in the work.

Pray that the children will learn

and grow well in God’s love, and

will have very good relationship

with the teachers, especially

for some children with special

needs.

Pray for protection for all children

and teachers. Pray for the

management to have wisdom

and the ability to provide a safe

environment.

Pray that the children will

respond to God’s love when

they attend Bible class,

devotion, and VBS.


• If you have Kindergarten background,

you can join the MITE programme.

work with the children. They are smart and obey everything

we teach them. The parents trust us and know we are doing

a great job. I believe our children will grow up with good

Christian values and inspire their families and friends to know

Jesus.” Samneang attended the 4/14 Window Conference at

Bali in April 2015, and he is excited and has been challenged.

He has shared some ideas with our staff to increase teaching

of Christlikeness amongst the children and he has shared at his

Church. His Church is planning to have a special programme

for children between the ages of 4 to 14 years in January

2016. These children will be groomed in anticipation of their

involvement in Youth Fellowship.

It is my great pleasure to see the staff growing in the Lord and

taking leadership roles. The children with their joyful faces

greet us every morning and brighten our day. May God

bless them and all of you who have helped in this great work

among the children at the Kindergarten of Methodist School

of Cambodia.

Vimala DeviMMS Missionary in Cambodia

Editor’s Note: Read our interview with the current Principal of

Methodist School of Cambodia on page 42. For more information on

Methodist School of Cambodia, please refer to the articles written by

the former Principal in our earlier issues of Harvest Force: 2012-Issue 2

(page 20), 2012-Issue 3 (page 16) and 2013-Issue 1 (page 31).


Samneang at 4/14 Window Conference at Bali.

Kalyan at Nursery class.

Samneang relaxing with the children.

MSC Kindergarten

The Little Faces That Light Up Our World

Happy Mother’s Day! The excited children are taking home a card for Mother’s Day.

Koon Nearng in K2.

Ministry of the Hearing Impaired

“MHI aims to reach out, touch and transform lives of the deaf.”

Due to decades under the regime, Cambodia had no school for

the deaf or advocacy group capable of supporting the needs

of deaf persons. Most deaf Cambodians were isolated without a

means of communication and a Khmer sign language had yet to

be established as a standardised sign language. They could not

learn, communicate or support themselves.

In recent years, non-government organisations such as Deaf

Development Programme (DDP) and Krousar Thmey (KT) have been

established to offer education and vocational training to the deaf

in Phnom Penh and her surrounding villages. However, the needs

of the deaf remain extensive and deaf Cambodians continue to

be unreached on a larger scale. An estimated 50,000 deaf and

500,000 hard of hearing persons reside in Cambodia according

to sources from within the country, but only 3,000 deaf people are

registered with KT and DDP.

40 | HARVEST FORCE

Pray for Minstry of the Hearing Impaired

Pray for more NGOs and the

government agencies to do more

for the deaf people and hard of

hearing.

Pray for opportunity for local

Cambodian Churches to be

aware of the Deaf in Cambodian

and to have the opportunity

to share the Gospel and be a

testimony of Christ love for deaf

Cambodia.

Pray for God’s guidance and

direction for MHI as we are

exploring to do long term

outreach ministry in Cambodia.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in

heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go

and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the

name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

(Matthew 28:18-19, NIV)

In 2010, Ministry of the Hearing Impaired (MHI) set its sights

on Cambodia as a country in need of outreach to the

deaf; a country in need of Christ. As a sub-ministry under

the Christian Outreach and Social Concerns (COSC)

ministry in Wesley Methodist Church, MHI aims to reach

out, touch and transform lives of the deaf in Singapore

and other countries.

Since then, MHI has sent outreach teams comprising Deaf

and Hearing Singaporeans regularly to Phnom Penh to

recce, explore and understand the needs of the deaf in

Cambodia. MHI has sought to complement the work of KT

and DDP in their deaf advocacy work and have begun to

build bridges with the two NGOs as well. Active, on-going

communications with MMS and the local churches there

have also afforded MHI with opportunities to explore the

current outreach work being done in Cambodia. MHI

also seeks to raise awareness of the plight of deaf persons

in Cambodia amongst the Cambodian churches, - to

prepare congregations to accept church members who

are deaf.

With years of experience in reaching out to the deaf and

conducting deaf awareness programmes for the hearing

in Singapore, MHI hopes to use that wealth of experience

to work towards the ultimate goal of bringing the gospel

to the deaf in Cambodia. Although many challenges as

manifested in cultural and language barriers stand in the

way, we believe with God’s guidance and grace, His work

will be done.

“As a deaf full-time staff member involved with the

Cambodia outreach project and trips, I have been

able to relate to the struggles and build relationships

with the Cambodian deaf during my time with them.

I have observed that more and more deaf people

are being supported by KT, DDP and even MHI but I

am saddened that there are still illiterate deaf persons

wandering the streets of Phnom Penh and in other

parts of Cambodia. An even sadder reality is that

these deaf Cambodians do not know Christ and there

are no Christian organisations or churches that are

currently doing outreach work among them. Some

challenges faced in reaching out to the deaf are

the inability to locate deaf persons, taking time to

be acquainted with the culture and traditions, and

communicating on a deeper level. However, I thank

God for enabling MHI to see more opportunities

to reach out to the deaf, and to help us to build

relationship and partnerships that bear fruit among

the deaf Cambodians. When I reflect on the big heart

of the Lord, I remember that it is God who first desires

for every soul to know God and to be loved, saved,

adopted, and baptised – John 3:16; Matthew 28:19-

20.”

Pauline Ong, Full-time ministry staff in MHI

Sarah KhooWesley Methodist Church

Ministry of the Hearing Impaired


Interview with

Benjamin Lee

Tell us a bit about your family and church. I am married to Serene Ong. We have four

children, two boys and two girls. They are

Zachary Asher Lee (12), Zoe Nicole Lee (9),

Ephraim Joseph Lee (7) and Elizabeth Joy Lee

(5). We are currently based in Phnom Penh,

Cambodia. We have been in Cambodia

for more than three years. We first arrived in

Cambodia on 20 Feb 2012. Our home church

in Singapore is Covenant Evangelical Free

Church (Woodlands Branch).

What is your favourite verse?My favourite verse is Matthew 28:18-20. That is

the reason why we are here in Cambodia.

What is your Love Language? (Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, Physical Touch) How we can encourage you?My love language is Acts of Service.

How many years have you been serving the Lord? • Serving God in the youth ministry since I was

13 years old.

• Serving God full time about 13 years.

• Serving God in the mission field for more

than three years.

What were you doing previously? I grew up in Toa Payoh Chinese Methodist Church where I

served actively in the youth ministry. I was a youth leader

since I was 13 years old. However, I knew I had a call to

missions when I was 12.

After NS, I worked at Seagate Technology as an Assistant

Engineer for 14 months.

I went to YWAM DTS for 6 months in Singapore. By then I

was attending Full Gospel Assembly (FGA). I worked part

time with FGA for six months after attending DTS.

In 1997, I went into full-time ministry as a youth worker with

FGA where I met Serene my wife. We were both serving

in the youth ministry. I was a youth pastor with FGA for 6 ½

years. We were married in June 2000.

I went to a bible college (TCA College) in 2003 and we

were assigned to be the missions directors for 3 Years.

I graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor in Arts, Missions.

I was also discipling the youth from the FGA Chinese

congregation for two years.

In 2006, I started a small company dealing with

recycled computer parts with the intention of providing

employment for delinquent kids from Boy’s Home. I sensed

God moving my family out of FGA. We left FGA in 2008

and went over to Covenant Evangelical Free Church

(CEFC). We were serving in the Children’s ministry worship

for a year. In 2011, together with some Filipino friends, we

started a Filipino fellowship in CEFC. We also started a

Benjamin Lee came to Methodist School of

Cambodia (MSC) on 14 July 2014 and officially became

the Principal on 1 August 2014. We had an interview

with him to get to know him better.

42 | HARVEST FORCE42 | HARVEST FORCE

workshop in Changi Prison in 2011 to train the prisoners skills

and used that as a platform to make disciples.

In 2012, with the whole family, we came to Cambodia

because God said, “This is the time.” So here we are in

Cambodia!

Tell us about your current area of ministry.Currently my main area of the ministry is in the Methodist

School of Cambodia. I am the current Principal. My wife is

helping out in another school. We helped to start the new

school. It is an international school that aims to provide

education at affordable school fees for the missionaries

who are serving in Cambodia. It is also used as a platform

for outreach to the many Chinese nationals who are

residing here in Phnom Penh with their children.

What kind of challenges do you face?The challenge faced here is with communication.

Currently we are trying to find time to learn the language.

The difficulty is that the schools in which my wife and I are

running are English schools.

Another challenge we face is the difference in work

culture. I have to learn to shed my Singaporean work

mentality and adjust to the working style of the locals. At

the same time, I have to ensure that I do not compromise

the quality and standards of the work. It is learning to

depend on God for the wisdom and guidance when

approaching the locals for a specific task.

Of course, another challenge is the cost of my children’s

education. Currently my four children are attending the

international school that Serene helped to start. Education

here in Cambodia is not as cheap as back in Singapore.

But we are trusting God for His providence.

How do you recharge?I recharge by finding time for myself to read. I also try to

allocate time with my family. That is why one of the rules

“We must be ready for God to use us anytime and anywhere.”

that is laid down between my wife and I is never to bring

work home unless it is something very urgent that we need

to attend to. Weekends are usually family time.

How can our readers support you and pray with you?Personal• Pray for God’s strength for Serene and myself.

• Pray that we will always depend on God’s wisdom and

direction in all that we do.

• Pray that we will not be discouraged by what we go

through as we work with the people around us.

• Pray for God’s providence that we will be able to meet

our monthly needs.

• Pray that my children will not feel that they lack anything

while they are in Cambodia.

• Pray for my children that they will see themselves as

instrument in God’s service.

Ministry• Pray for unity with the people that we are working with.

• Pray for the MSC students to have an encounter with

God.

• Pray for the salvation of the non-believing teachers.

• Pray that as the students will not see it as a ritual to go to

their weekly Christian Education class. Pray that they will

find God during those classes.

• Pray for the upcoming Christmas Programme to be

impactful yet meaningful.

• Pray for opportunities for the MMS missionaries involving

in the School Ministry to be able to speak life into the

students.

What is one thing our readers should know about missions?Missions is not only for those who are out in the field, but it

is a mandate for everyone. We must be ready for God to

use us anytime and anywhere. Missions is not bounded

by countries, but Missions is bringing the message of the

Kingdom to whomever God directs us to. As John Piper

coined, “Missions exists because worship doesn’t.”

PROFILES | 43 42 | HARVEST FORCE42 | HARVEST FORCE

Earthquake in Nepal

Relief efforts by MMS“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35,

NIV)

The date 25 April 2015 will be etched into the

minds of all Nepalis. That fateful day, a 7.9

magnitude earthquake struck the central

region of Nepal, just 80 km north-west of

Kathmandu. Two weeks later, on 12 May 2015,

a second earthquake measuring 7.4 on the

Richter Scale caused further damage and

loss of life. As of the end of May 2015, there

have been more than 9,000 fatalities and

25,000 injured. Since the first earthquake,

daily aftershocks measuring between 3 and 5

in magnitude have been a daily occurrence.

“In all these relief programmes, we remain focused on our ministry’s vision, ‘To Redeem Nepal for Jesus Christ’.”

44 | HARVEST FORCE

The physical devastation includes the destruction of public

buildings, infrastructure for water and power, heritage

sites and more significantly the destruction of thousands

of homes. Images broadcast of collapsed buildings and

homes, and faces of homeless and distraught Nepalis who

have lost loved ones and are now gripped with fear and

despair, flash vividly in our minds and haunt us.

The fear of what lies ahead of them is given voice in a

Nepalese expression, “ke-garne”, translated as “it’s like

this, what can we do”. All around the world people are

struck with the images of the quake’s aftermath with many

organisations and countries coming to aid the estimated

2.8 million people made homeless by this disaster. (Figures

from UNHCR appeal, accurate at time of writing.)

Amidst this backdrop, we have witnessed the love and

grace of our sovereign God. It was nothing short of a

miracle that when the quake struck, our people were in

their respective churches worshipping and were not in

their homes. None of our Methodist churches in Nepal

collapsed although some minor damage to the buildings

was sustained. Many of our believers in the affected areas

lost their homes and are now living under temporary

shelters but are safe. We thank God for His protection over

our people!

Looking back, we recognise the wisdom of our leadership

in the Methodist Missions Society (MMS) and our field

team in Nepal, which led MMS and the Methodist Church

in Nepal (MCN) to develop contingency plans in 2012 to

address concerns of a potential quake.

Emergency packs containing food, water, blankets,

communications equipment, water, solar-powered lights

and tents were prepared and checked periodically.

Briefings were regularly conducted to ensure that our

leaders were familiar with the contingency procedures

that were put into place.

This preparedness ensured that when the recent quake

occurred, our Nepali pastors and leaders were able to

lead their people and provide them with the emergency

packs that would meet their basic immediate needs for

survival. Despite all this, more had to be done.

FIELD FEATURE • NEPAL | 45 44 | HARVEST FORCE

Testimony of Shovalama

After the earthquake, the

girls from Sophia’s Home were

engaged with to process their

experiences and encouraged

to pen down their thoughts.

Many of them gave thanks to

God for His protection as well as

His provision for their daily needs

after the quake.

Shovalama, one of the girls,

detailed down her fear when

the church building started to shake. She wrote, “Everyone was rushing for the door but I could not stand. My heart

was beating faster and faster.” Her instant reaction was to “just kneel down beside a friend and uncle, and I prayed

to God. I asked God to save my life.” During the quake, she remembered Psalm 91. Through this experience, “I came

to know God more… God is my refuge… and I had peace in my heart.” Shovalama felt that it was “a chance for all

Christians to share the love of Christ to other people. It is a good time to help earthquake victims with basic needs

and to share with them about God as our protector.”

An MCN Crisis Relief Committee was promptly

established to oversee the initial relief efforts, plan for

longer-term relief work and to coordinate with the MMS

Home Office team. Rev Sabashtain Lepcha and our

missionary GS are key members in the Committee, as

they were responsible for developing the contingency

plans. The Committee was given an initial grant from

the MMS Crisis Relief Fund to meet the needs of Phase

1 work.

After completing Phase 1a – providing for the

immediate needs of the girls from Sophia’s Home, the

members of our Wesley Bardan Methodist Church

(WBMC) in Kathmandu and the families of Rev

Lepcha and GS – the relief operations moved out

to the community, beginning with the neighbouring

households around WBMC.

The approach taken by our field team is to front all

our relief work with our Nepali pastors, leaders and

members of the local church and community there. This,

as the result has shown, is critical to the success of our

work.

Phase 1b was activated on 27 April. This phase provided

food aid to our church and community members in Kavre

and Tanahun districts. The relief teams then proceeded to

extend the food aid to 6 villages in Kavre and 2 villages in

Tanahun and Gorkha districts.

A total of 390 households received food package

containing 30 kg of rice, 2 kg of lentils, 1 litre of cooking

oil, 500 g of salt and 1 kg of sugar. The distribution process

was conducted smoothly and without incident. The

appreciative village officials and villagers thanked our

team for their act of love and compassion with smiles on

their faces.

Our team members were also glad to be a part of this

relief programme. Rev Lepcha shared: “It was good to be

able to help the people so badly affected and in need of

No. of Completed S/No Location District Households Type Date1 Wesley Bardan MC Lalitpur 30 Food Packs 1 May

2 Phulbari & Pathlekhet Kavre 190 Food Packs 5 May

3 Bhaisjangar PP Tanahun 50 Food Packs 11 May

4 Swara Gorkha 45 Food Packs 17 May

5 Basantapur Tanahun 75 Tarpaulins 31 May

TOTAL 390

Pray for Nepal

Pray that God will give our Pastors and

leaders strength, protection and

healthy minds and bodies. Pray for

discernment so that plans and decisions

made will be Christ-centred.

Pray that those who have been affected

by the earthquake will continue to trust in

our sovereign and loving God, and that

their faith will grow stronger through this

experience.

Pray for the provision of resources and

funding as we plan for the restoration and

rebuilding phase.

46 | HARVEST FORCE

help. We have to be the light, sharing His love with our

neighbour and loving our neighbour as He has loved us!”

Phase 2 planning has commenced and will involve the

reconstruction and restoration of homes and provide

assistance to the people to help them live off the land,

and have their daily needs met so that they achieve a

minimum level of sustainability. In Phase 2a, we will focus

on providing assistance to our MCN family members

as they face the challenges of the monsoons and the

subsequent winter months. Phase 2b plans to provide

towards a longer term need for reliable and safe homes

for our people.

Phase 3 will be the final phase of our relief work. In this

phase, we plan to provide housing to the neighbouring

communities in several districts identified as part of our

Community Development programme. We have to be

sensitive and selective to ensure that our ministry focus is

maintained.

Phase 2 and 3 will continue to provide challenges to the

Nepal Crisis Relief Committee as they develop practical

and pragmatic plans. MMS Home Office will be having

discussions with the Crisis Relief Representatives from TRAC,

CAC and ETAC to look into the funding and provision of

resources to fulfil the plans for our work which will stretch

over one and a half years to December 2016. Present

estimates for our funding for 50 to 60 homes for Phase 2


and 3 stands at S$300,000. Essentially, we are looking at

providing better foundation and structure with iron rods

to withstand stronger tremors and leaving the rest of

the building to the owners, due to sensitive and cultural

concerns in the final completion of the homes.

Do pray with us as we seek His wisdom, strength and

faith in preparing for the coming relief operations. In

all these relief programmes, we remain focused on our

ministry’s vision, ‘To Redeem Nepal for Jesus Christ’.

We recognise the opportunity through our good works

to reach out to people who have yet to receive the

gospel. The morale of our Nepali believers has been an

encouragement to all of us; their willingness to help their

neighbours in spite of their own adversity is a lesson of

faith in action, and what it means to bless your neighbour

and believing that God will shower manifold blessings

upon us.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven”

(Matthew 5:16, KJV)

Col (Ret) Quek Koh Eng MMS Area Director and Operations Director

Noel TamMMS Country Coordinating Officer for Nepal

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At a glance

NepalEarthquake

Relief Aid Programme by MCN

in collaboration with MMS:

Phase 1a & 1b:• Temporary Tent Shelter

• Food Pack Distribution

- 390 Households

(Lalitpur, Kavre, Tanahun

& Gorkha)

- 30kg Rice, 2kg Lentils,

1l Cooking Oil, 500g Salt,

1kg Sugar

• Tarpaulin Distribution

(Tanahun)

Phase 2a:• Zinc Sheet Distribution

– 240 Households

(Dhading, Kavre &

Tanahun)

Phase 2b & 3:• 50-60 Permanent Homes

Utnu! Chumkinu! Janus! In late April 2014, by God’s leading and calling, Arise Shine team, made up of

ladies from different Methodist churches, went together on a “learn to serve”

trip to Nepal from 24 August to 2 September 2014. This was the fifth mission trip to

Nepal organised by the General Conference Women’s Society of Christian Service

(GCWSCS). Since 2011, GCWSCS has made yearly trips to Nepal, with a deepening

desire to work with and for the women in Nepal.

Arise Shine team members were Dorothy Lim (President GCWSCS); Shanti Merry

(MMS missionary in Nepal from 1999 to 2011); Deviki MS James (GCWSCS missions

coordinator); Susy Chieng (Grace Methodist Church); and Linda Liong (Geylang

Chinese Methodist Church). Our steadfast supporter is Grace Ling, GCWSCS

missions coordinator, who went to Nepal in 2008.

“Throughout this trip, we

were always reminded

to be on our knees…”

(Arise! Shine! Go!)


Arise Shine team set off in the wee hours of the morning and arrived in

Kathmandu in the mid-afternoon. Together with Grace (Rev Lepcha’s

wife) and JT (GS’s wife), the team had dinner with a very nice group of

local pastors’ wives. These nine ladies travelled for at least 18 hours to

Kathmandu (instead of the usual 12-hour journey) due to the monsoon

rains that destroyed a bridge along their route to Kathmandu. Some

ended up not physically well too. However, the joy of God and His

presence at the dining table provided healing strength to everyone. A

joyous beginning for the week ahead!

The entire 5-day seminar was split into two workshops:

• The first three days was for a Women’s Leadership Seminar. It was

dedicated to our 10 local pastors’ wives and missionary’s wife who

were equipped with God’s Word, and

• The next two days was a Women’s Seminar which was open to

all Nepali women. Our local pastors’ wives served as the trainers,

facilitated by Arise Shine team, using the materials they had learnt

during the Women’s Leadership Seminar. This was the first women’s

seminar held in new premises of Wesley Bardan Methodist Church

(WBMC).

The Seminar theme was, “How to be a good Christian mother” and we

reflected on our Saviour’s mother, Mary, with bible-based case studies.

For the rest of this trip, we visited some homes including Sophia’s Home,

and had fellowship with WBMC members and eight graduates of

Sophia’s Home.

Arise Shine team has experienced in depth,

has gained much, and was moulded

beyond human understanding from this

“learn to serve” journey under God’s divine

hands. Throughout this trip, we were always

reminded to be on our knees with our faces

bowed down before God and Man, and

to clothe ourselves with humility. We were

filled to overflowing with His immeasurable

strength and provision to pursue, continue

and complete this trip together. We can only

and always thank God for planting numerous

prayer partners for prayer support, teaching

us through our lovely Nepali sisters, watching

over our coming and going throughout this

entire trip, and His endless loving patience

with us.

Jaimasi! (Christian greetings in Nepali: Victory

in the Messiah!)

Linda LiongGeneral Conference Women’s Society of Christian

Service

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Spiritual warfare is not just a concept of Christian doctrine, it is real with an

existing battlefield and we have to be prepared.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor

of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For

our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against

the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the

spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:10-12, NIV)

The Missions Committee of Covenant Community Methodist Church had

to wait two years to go for the Dental Camp at Vijayee Methodist Church

in the Ilam district, Nepal. The team finally went in November 2014.

Many members of our congregation have asked us what we can do on a

Dental Camp. We are not dentists or nurses! Well, our answer is: Come, see

and witness on how great our God is.

It was only two years ago when we went as a family on our first mission trip

to Nepal. We not only experienced God’s blessing, grace and sovereignty,

but have also seen the beauty of His marvellous creation through our

witnessing of the majestic Himalayan peaks as well as the awe-inspiring

sunrise. It is through God’s grace and the Holy Spirit Who has transformed

our hearts, that we are willing to be involved in missions.

Ralph and Miranda LauCovenant Community Methodist Church

Come and See

“We have not only experienced God’s blessing, grace and sovereignty, but have also seen the beauty of

His marvellous creation through our witnessing of the majestic Himalayan peaks as well as the awe-inspiring

sunrise.”


10th Annual Meeting in Thailand

The 10th Annual Meeting in Thailand was held on 18 and 19 March 2015 in Chiang

Mai. It would have been a business-as-usual meeting in the mornings if not for the

unusually high level of haze that shrouded Chiang Mai. It was caused by farmers

preparing their rice field for a new season of rice planting.

Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup was the Guest-of-Honour. He led the pastoral possession, where he was

followed by MMS Area Director, Rev Dianna Khoo; FBOM Registrar, Rev Philip Abraham; our District

Superintendents of Thailand, Rev Prasert Pornkiratikul and Rev Henry Yeo; and Elders Rev Prasarn

Chaisrimonthon and Rev Chinnakorn Saenkasa. They strode into the Shineforth Church sanctuary in

their ceremonial robes.

The scripture text for the opening ceremony was read from Matthew 5:17-30. Bishop posed a

challenge to all our clergy and lay leaders: to examine the basis of our actions; as it is not merely

about the outcomes of the deeds but about the underlying motives preceding the outcomes. He

urged us to examine our “Heart Religion”.

The highlight of the 10th Annual Meeting was the ordination of Rev Attaphon Kamsari to be an Elder.

He and his family have been faithfully serving at Nong Bua Lamphu Methodist Church and Grace

of God Church for close to 10 years. We pray for God’s leading and guidance upon him as Rev

Attaphon reaches out to his community and beyond with great courage and conviction. May he be

great salt and light who brings glory unto God.

Indeed, the 10th Annual Meeting was another joyous celebration of God’s goodness and patience

to our ministry in Thailand. All of us understood that there is more ground to cover. Therefore, armed

with God’s word in our hands, like Joshua, we shall enter new territories and possess what God has

already planned for us to do. We only need to be humble and to obey.

David KhewMMS Country Coordinating Officer for Thailand

“… armed with God’s word in our

hands, we shall enter new territories and possess what God

has already planned for us to do.”

Stoll, Bible and Ordination Certificate ready for the

ceremony.

52 | HARVEST FORCE52 | HARVEST FORCE

Ordination of the 5th Elder in Thailand, Rev Attaphon Kamsari by Bishop.

10th Annual Meeting in Thailand

FIELD FEATURE • THAILAND | 53 52 | HARVEST FORCE52 | HARVEST FORCE

ABOVE Appointment holders of the MMS Thailand Charter, Mettakij Church Association. BACKGROUND Participants to the 10th Annual Meeting at at Shineforth Methodist Church, Chiang Mai.

“God has been gracious in allowing us to be His co-labourers, and to experience His ever-abundant

grace and providence throughout the ten days.”

54 | HARVEST FORCE

Co-labourers with God

Upon arriving in Chiang Mai, Thailand, we spent a day

gathering our logistics before taking off to a mountainous

village called Papae. It was a two-hour drive from

Chiang Mai city over rocky terrain and shaky bridges

but we enjoyed the thrill of it nonetheless. We arrived

to unexpectedly cold weather, however our stay at the

local school was met with the warmth and hospitality

of the team from Sanphranet Methodist Church (SMC).

They faithfully cooked and cleaned for us, and their

resourcefulness in turning an empty football field into

the perfect setting for a Christmas concert amazed us.

We were also warmly welcomed by the Karen people (a

tribe in Papae) as we went from house to house to sing

Christmas carols under a star-filled sky that got brighter as

the night wore on. We witnessed three villagers receive

Christ, and trust that the seeds of the Good News have

been planted in the hearts of the villagers, both young

and old. We continue to pray that through the testimonies

of those who believe, Papae will come to know the Lord.

Our youth team also joined SMC in other

activities such as hosting their children

and youth programmes, supporting

the Christmas concerts with

skits and dance performances, and joining the village

carolling sessions. One memorable experience was

when we led worship for the youth programme; both

Thais and Singaporeans sang songs and worshipped

God in different languages, yet the spirit of God abided,

transcending all cultural and linguistic boundaries.

During the trip, the youth were also given the opportunity

to share their testimonies about God’s goodness and

faithfulness in their lives. It was an encouragement to see

them overcome their anxiety and be bold for God.

The carolling sessions and house visitations also gave

us the opportunity to do prayer walking. We learnt to

observe the environment and ask God to open our hearts

and eyes to the needs of the

Thais. We continue to pray

for our generation to deny

ourselves, choose to

live by our identity in

Christ, and follow

Jesus to the

ends of the

earth.

FIELD FEATURE • THAILAND | 55 54 | HARVEST FORCE

Chiang Mai will always have a special place in our hearts; a word

and a place that will trigger more than memories of youth ministry. It

was a milestone in our walks with God. Indeed, we saw God at work in

the lives of the people we met, and in our own lives as well. We begin

to understand more each day that God looks upon the world with

great compassion and He desires for all to know Him. God has been

gracious in allowing us to be His co-labourers, and to experience His

ever-abundant grace and providence throughout the ten days. This

was evident in the way He protected us as we travelled from place to

place, and how He multiplied our materials and gifts for the children

even when we did not believe that we had enough. We thank you all

for your prayers and support. We hope that you will continue to be a

part of this ministry, in a way that God calls and leads you.

Percy Low Senior Ministry Staff (Youth)

Charis Methodist Church

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Christ MC and MMS signed an MOU from 1 June 2015 to

support renovation work at Krang Svay MC in Cambodia.

An MOU has been entered into between Covenant

Community MC and MMS for the continuing partnership

with Chress MC in Cambodia for its disciple-making and

equipping work from 1 August 2015 for three years.

MMS was invited to Bedok Methodist Church on 29 March

2015 to set up a missions booth. Contact MMS if you want

us to set up a booth in your church.

Thank you for participating in the Photo Contest. The theme was “LOVE”. Congratulations to all the winners who have

been notified. Do keep a look out for our next Photo Contest and we hope to see more participation.

Memorandum of Understanding

Mission Awareness

MMS Photo Contest #04 Results

Three Consolation PrizesIg Profiles: @trafficjem, @insta_graham87 and @eclecticjoy Prize: Macro Lens Band

“Most Popular Photo” with 297 ‘likes’sIg Profile: @kimberleylovelord

Caption: My team and I went to Siem Reap, Cambodia for a 10 days mission trip in February through Trackers 2014 by Truthmin. This photo was taken at a village church planted by a Cambodian Pastor. LOVE we’ve experienced from God shining through our lives and stepping out of our own comfort zone was all we need when we went there as the children were really different from those in SG. Ever since I’ve returned from my mission trip, I yearn to return back again one day. And I’m waiting for an open door to visit the same place I visited in Cambodia previously. @mms.gram #mmsphotocontestLOVE #Project365KLOVELORD #vsco #vscosg #vscocam #sgig #all_shots #sgdaily #instasg #sginstagram #sgigers #iphone6 #KROURSA #Familyofthelight #missiontrip #cambodia #siemreap #Trackers2014

Church: Living Hope Methodist Church

Prize: S$100, Selfie Stick with remote, and Macro Lens Band

“Best Photo” Ig Profile: @phangster93

Caption: The school kids of Nongkoknongyaw School in Phayakkapum Phisai, Thailand pulled members of our mission team to play with them during our break time and the smiles on their faces was a reflection of their response towards our love for them. #mmsphotocontestlove #missiontrip @mms.gram

Church: Bukit Panjang Methodist Church

Prize: S$200, Selfie Stick with remote, and Macro Lens Band

HOME HAPPENINGS | 57 56 | HARVEST FORCE

SPECIAL FEATURE • SSS TESTIMONIES | 58

Please mail cheque and completed form to: METHODIST MISSIONS SOCIETY, 70 Barker Road #06-01 The Methodist Centre Singapore 309936.Thank you for your gift and support. For more information, please contact us at 6478 4818.

Name [Rev/Dr/Mr/Mrs/Ms]

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These DVDs present an overview of MMS work and ministries. Get your free copies now.

Read about God’s goodness and faithfulness in

MMS History Book “Blessed to be a Blessing”

Items Qty Total (S$)

MMS Book – Blessed to be a Blessing (S$10)

MMS DVD – Simple Faith Amazing Grace (2005 @ Cambodia)

MMS DVD – Of Miracles and Grace (2007 @ Nepal)

MMS DVD – Choose to Help a Few (2009 @ Thailand)

MMS DVD – MMS 20th Anniversary Videos (2011 @ China and Nepal)

MMS DVD – SSS Videos (2012)

MMS DVD – MMS at a glance (2013 @ Nepal)

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PDPAMMS is committed to ensuring the security of all personal data she collects. MMS shall use and disclose such data only for her necessary purposes and if so, shall adhere to the guidelines of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). All personal data shall be kept strictly confidential at all times. If ever MMS has to disclose any personal data to any third party, she shall do so only with the prior consent of the owner of the personal data. To withdraw or limit consent, please email to [email protected].

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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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Please cross and make cheque payable to “The Methodist Church in Singapore (MMS)” and mail it together with this form to:

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$45 per month wef 1 August 2015 (minimum commitment of 12 months)

– Cambodia / Nepal / Thailand / Laos

Student Sponsorship Scheme (Residential)* General $ @ S$110 per month wef 1 August 2015 (minimum commitment of 12 months)

[ ] COSI (Cambodia) [ ] Emmaus Women’s Centre (Cambodia) [ ] Sophia’s Home (Nepal) [ ] Mettakij Hostel (Thailand) [ ] Term Fun Home (Thailand) [ ] Huangshan House of Peniel (East Asia)

Cambodia Mission Emmaus Women’s Centre – ministry 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 $

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

Nepal Mission Community & Relief Work $ Caleb Bible Institute Trainee Sponsorship $ @ S$80 per month

Replacement of Ministry Vehicle $ Youth Ministry / Hub $

Thailand Mission Income Generating Project Fund $ Church Ministry Support $

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

Vietnam Mission Vietnam Children’s Fund $

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

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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.

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.

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?

Part 3

Exporing Innovations, Impact and Implications of New Communications and Med ia Development

This is the final pawt explores the IMPLICATIONS of New Communications and Media Development. The first two

parts, studying the INNOVATIONS and IMPACTS, were published in HF 2014-Issue 1 and 2015-Issue 1 respectively

How do churches and seminaries remain relevant to their constituents in an age where the communications landscape is now characterised by connectivity, mobility, accessibility, and immediacy? How do they preserve the core values of the church and keep her integrity intact when daily communication increasingly takes place in a disruptive and distracting bazaar of digital sounds and sights? How can they avoid becoming marginalised and lose the ability to provide guidance and hope in a world which now straddles both geographic and digital spaces? Such are the emerging questions and challenges encountered by the church situated in the digital communications era.

In working out a response to these questions, four proposals for churches and seminaries are presented in this final section. These include the calls to (a) foster greater consciousness of heavenly citizenship, (b) establish reparative and reconciliatory ministries, (c) develop a participative presence on digital communications and media platforms, and (d) give attention to communications and media research. Each is briefly presented and accompanied by an invitation to work out implications for pastoral service and seminary support.

(a) Foster greater consciousness of heavenly citizenshipThe present pull and push toward active citizenship in digital spaces invokes reminder that while Christians have a citizenship on earth, they also have a citizenship in heaven (Philippians 3:20). As life traverses the porous boundaries separating geographic and digital spaces, red flags are continually raised signalling the dire need for Christians to develop a greater consciousness of their primary identity as citizens of heaven.

The church is called to cultivate this consciousness and to allow this knowledge to shape its identity. To be granted citizenship in heaven is to be given a privilege with responsibilities. It is first an invitation toward reconciliation and intimate fellowship with the Creator of Heaven and earth. But it is also an invitation to live life as though the concerns and commands of the King mattered. Conversely, the invitation is also to reject, oppose, and at times even flee earthly-minded habits, behaviour, and lifestyles which distract from and compete with the purposes of our King.

If “citizenship defines a person’s ethical behaviour and true allegiance,” (Witherington2011, 217) then a practical question is raised for us: “How well do our communications habits, behaviours, and actions in physical and digital spaces reflect our true allegiances and affections?” Behind the question lies the realities of competing loyalties and battles for hearts and minds. This and other related questions however must continually be asked in tandem with the ongoing work of nurturing obedient, light-bearing disciples of Christ who are serious about aligning their primary identity and instincts with their citizenship in heaven.

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Part 3

Exporing Innovations, Impact and Implications of New Communications and Med ia Development

(b) Establish reparative and recovery ministriesOne of the unfortunate consequences of the digital communications revolution is the negative impact that it has brought with itself. Education and preventive measures have only achieved limited results and have not successfully stemmed the adverse psychological and spiritual impact that has come with voyeurism, sleep deprivation, attention diffusion, bullying, video game obsession, compulsive online gambling, role-playing extreme acts of violence, experimentation with witchcraft, and exposure to pornographic acts. These are effects and consequences of an immersive media and communications environment that families, church members, and even those in Christian ministry have become casualties of.

It is these realities that the church urgently needs to wake up to and deal with proactively. To that end, the creation of safe spaces and the establishment of reparative and recovery ministries to expose, manage, and address pathological as well as pathogenic tendencies are critical. The role of community too is vital for fostering accountability, creating self-awareness, re-establishing healthy boundaries, and providing support in the journey towards shalom and transformation. Beyond the provision of professional help and community support, persistent prayer and the agency of God’s Spirit are also critical if messy inner damage and entanglements are to be dealt with at depth.

(c) Develop a participative presence on digital communications and media platformsA sobering realisation that churches are just coming to grips with is that traditional church-based ministry roles exert limited influence on the community. This is painfully true in the case of influence on the next generation–including children and youth from Christian families. Recognising this gap, Sweet laments:

The ultimate irony and indictment for the Christian community is to learn that the key professions for the future are the following: healers, peacemakers, storytellers, content providers. Are these not key words of our mission? Why aren’t Christians at the forefront of building this new world? (Sweet 2000, 43)

The challenge to participate in building this new world at the digital frontier calls for a radical rethink of the how, where, who, and with what of ministry. Effective participative presence in this new world will require those in traditional ministry roles to recognise the wide range of new communications genres, move out of their comfort zones, and be interacting regularly on popular communications platforms. The same applies to seminaries and accreditation agencies. In terms of scope and reach however, the vision of participative presence can only be advanced through the active involvement of the Net generation believers in whom reside native intuitions in digital environments, expert know-how, and ability to exploit the affordances of digital technologies for Kingdom purposes. Developing effective participatory presence in new communications and media platforms will also necessarily entail growing ministry partnerships between traditional ministry co-workers and Christian film directors, musicians, animators, graphic artists, bloggers, guild masters, web analysts, app developers, and the like. It is out of these involvements and partnerships that social capital can be built, and Christian witness, ministry, and apology emerge in mediums that can be related to by the digital generation.

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(d) Give attention to communications and media researchThe work of ongoing research is an important human task as it generates new knowledge that helps us understand people and the world we live in. This human task is even more critical in a world where change is occurring exponentially. Research provides theoretical frameworks and labels by which to understand and interpret new and existing realities. It helps us to understand trends, identify issues, predict consequences, challenge assumptions, and guide problem-solving.

It is the failure to deeply comprehend the socio-cultural impact of rapidly evolving communications technologies and environments that makes drawing from communications and media research essential for churches and theological institutions. These pervasive and penetrating changes have introduced new contexts for practical church ministries which demand adjustment and accommodation by way of form, approach, and response. Equally, they have also introduced new contexts for academic theological inquiry which demand updates on questions, content, delivery, mindset, and perspective.

In addition to drawing from research, theological institutions have the added advantage of being set up to generate biblical-theological and social science research. When this research is applied to emerging media and communications contexts, its unique and significant contribution provides churches with needed insights as to how digital communications, networks, and mobiles impact global and local communities. It also offers recommendations for ministry consideration as well as invites theological reflection with which to inform ministry practice.

ConclusionAs churches and seminaries consider new questions and challenges introduced by new communications technologies and environments, it is worth remembering that one of the key defining features of humanity is the ability to communicate. As creatures bearing the image of God, humans reflect the communicative nature and capacities endowed by our Creator. All aspects of human activity–including the accomplishment of the principal tasks of the church–involve a communicative dimension. Consequently, whether proclamation (kerygma),

Bibliography

Castells, Manuel. 2008. “Afterword.” In Handbook of Mobile Communication Studies, edited by James Everett Katz, 447–451. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Fredette, John, Marom Revital, Kurt Steinert, and Louis Witters. 2012. “The Promise and Peril of Hyperconnectivity for Organizations and Societies.” In The Global Information Technology Report 2012: Living in a Hyperconnected World, edited by Soumitra Dutta and Beñat Bilbao-Osorio, 113–119. Geneva: World Economic Forum.

Friedman, Thomas L. 2005. The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Gordon, W. Terrence. 2010. McLuhan: A Guide for the Perplexed. New York: Continuum. Johnson, L., S. Adams Becker, M. Cummins, V. Estrada, A. Freeman, and H. Ludgate. 2013. NMC Horizon Report: 2013 Higher Education Edition. Austin, TX: The New Media Consortium.

Johnson, L., S. Adams, and M. Cummins. 2012. NMC Horizon Report: 2012 Higher Education Edition. Austin, TX: The New Media Consortium.

Johnson, L., R. Smith, H. Willis, A. Levine, and K. Haywood. 2011. The 2011 Horizon Report. Austin, TX: The New Media Consortium.

McLuhan, Marshall. 1965. Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Mele, Nicco. 2013. The End of Big: The Collapse of Power and the Rise of Connection. New York: St. Martin’s Press.

Meyrowitz, Joshua. 1985. No Sense of Place: The Impact of Electronic Media on Social Behavior. New York: Oxford University Press.

Moran, Terence P. 2010. Introduction to the History of Communication. New York: Peter Lang Publishing.

Murray, Janet H. 2012. Inventing the Medium: Principles of Interaction Design as a Cultural Practice. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

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community (koinonia), service (diakonia), advocacy (propheteia), or worship (leitourgia) (Pazmino 2008, 46-55), all these tasks involve communication acts and events which are integrally linked to communications media and technologies.

Another point worth remembering is that many of the high points in the life of God’s people were intricately linked to historical developments in human communications. Encoding the spoken Word in written form helped to preserve both Testaments over the ages. Having koine Greek as a common lingua franca enabled the spread of early Christianity across a much larger ethnic and geographic extent than otherwise would have been possible. Circulating written gospels and dictated epistles proved instrumental to the evangelism and discipleship efforts of the apostles. Mechanically inking pages using movable types put the Word of God into the hands of the literate masses. Transmitting radio waves across political borders birthed and nurtured churches under conditions of oppression and persecution. These examples from history serve to illustrate the very intimate, though sometimes overlooked relationship between developments in communications history and the life of the church.

These two reminders encourage us that the church can make a difference at a time of rapid global adoption of digital communications technologies and increased communication within digital spaces. Today, the divine imperative to exercise theological guidance, pastoral care, parental responsibility, and missional service dictates that opting out or remaining ignorant in the midst of change are not options offered to churches and seminaries. While the call demands the preservation of integrity and identity in those spaces, it also entails participation, presence, insight, empathy, and influence in an increasingly complex world that churches and

seminaries are sent to serve, exist, and make a difference in.

Dr Calvin ChongAssociate Professor in Educational Studies at the School of Theology (English), Singapore Bible College. His teaching responsibilities at SBC and in churches regularly address pastoral, missional, communications, and educational issues encountered by the body of Christ in the age of global connectivity. He worships in Covenant Community Methodist Church.

Pazmiño, Robert W. 2008. Foundational Issues in Christian Education: An Introduction in Evangelical Perspective. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

Poe, Marshall. 2011. A History of Communications: Media and Society from the Evolution of Speech to the Internet. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Pouler, Patrick. 1994. “Disciplinary Society and the Myth of Aesthetic Justice.” In Design Review: Challenging Urban Aesthetic Control, edited by Brenda Case Scheer and Wolfgang F. E. Preiser, 175–186. New York: Chapman & Hall.

Rainie, Lee, and Barry Wellman. 2012. Networked: The New Social Operating System. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Rogers, Everett M. 1995. Diffusion of Innovations. New York: Free Press.

Sweet, Leonard. 2000. Postmodern Pilgrims: First Century Passion for the 21st Century Church. Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman Publishers.

Tapscott, Don. 2009. Grown up Digital: How the Net Generation Is Changing Your World. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Treloar, Andrew. 1994. “Information Spaces and Affordances on the Internet.” In Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Accessed 5 July 2013 at http://andrew.treloar.net/research/publications/acis94/.

Turkle, Sherry. 2011. Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other. New York: Basic Books.

Witherington, Ben. 2011. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.

Bibliography

SPECIAL FEATURE | 65 64 | HARVEST FORCE

Coming of Age

One of the most significant milestones in the mission of church planting is when an

indigenous church comes of age. We will know that such a time has arrived when

we see the following:

• The leadership of that church is mostly, if not all, made up of Christians who are

citizens of that nation.

• The funding of the whole enterprise of that church comes from local sources.

• The vision of that church is the fruit of what God has laid upon the leadership.

• Eventually, that church evolves a culture that is both Christian and indigenous.

Indigenous LeadershipThe handing over of leadership of the church to the nationals of that country will

only come about if there is a conscious and systematic effort to do so, on the part

of the foreign mission agency as well as the local believers. There are challenges

that face the mission organisation in its attempt to do this.

First, the pool of potential leaders is limited, or non-existent, to start with. While

a key criterion for leadership is spiritual maturity, the formal education that they

“An indigenous church birthed and empowered by the Holy Spirit, grounded on Scripture, and united

in purpose will be able to make significant strides in fulfilling the Great

Commission in that nation.”

66 | HARVEST FORCE A CLOSING THOUGHT | 67

receive is equally important. This in itself is not easy to

come by, if we assume that most church planting missions

take place in less developed countries where literacy is

lacking.

Leadership of the church is not limited to the ordained

clergy. In our Methodist polity, there must also be lay

participation at all highest levels of the church. Most clergy

are trained in ministry and theology -specific areas. The

contribution of laity who are well educated professionals

is vital to a broad based leadership that can also move

the church towards the transformation and development

of the whole nation. This therefore depends again on

the general system of education. However, the returning

nationals who have studied abroad may be able to fill in

the gap.

Financial IndependenceAnother important sign of a national church’s coming of

age is financial independence. What this means is that

the funding of its staff, ministry, and acquisition of physical

assets is by the contribution of its own membership. There

are several factors at play that will affect this development.

First, there is the important assuming of this responsibility by

the indigenous Christians. When mission first takes place in

a country, the funds come from the people and churches

that send the missionaries over. If the teaching is not done

early in the life of the church that this funding is not for

forever, but must eventually be taken over by the local

Christians, there will develop an unhealthy dependency

mindset.

The second important piece of preparation is teaching the

practice of tithing. In mission countries where the economy

is under-developed, it may sound as if asking the people

to give is putting a burden on those who are already living

below the poverty line. While this may be how it appears,

the reality is that tithing is not a matter between the

church or mission organisation and the members. It is one

between the individual Christian and God. The promise of

God is that He will open the windows of heaven when His

people tithe. The inflow of funds into the church (and this

is true even of developed countries) is from God; it is not

dependent only on the economy of the country. Hence

even in less developed countries, if tithing is practised

there will be supernatural blessings that will enable the

church to grow and fulfil its mission.

When the practice of tithing is introduced early,

and proper teaching is given about it, then the solid

foundation is laid for the church eventually to be

financially independent. Tithing is also about seeing

how our faith will overcome our human limitations and

dependence on ourselves.

While this is taking place, it does not mean that the foreign

mission organisations will stop their funding. There must

be a gradual lessening of dependence on them, and

more on locally raised funds. A progressive plan to transfer

expenditures to the indigenous church will take years to

fully take effect, to reach the time when they can be fully

independent.

The VisionThe maturity of the indigenous leadership will also be seen

in what they will receive from God regarding what they

are called to do in that country. They will have to set the

agenda, following what they believe God has asked them

to do.

In some societies, there is a culture of deference to

foreigners, who also happen to be their benefactors.

Hopefully, as they mature, and begin to take increasing

ownership of the direction in which they believe the

priorities of the church are, they will be able to relate to

the missionaries as equals. This will, however, only come

about if the missionaries make a conscious effort to

nurture spiritual maturity enabling them to do so.

An Indigenous Christian CultureChristianity is widely seen as a Western religion. That is not

entirely true, as it is more Middle-Eastern than Western.

Nevertheless the West is seen as the source. At most times,

66 | HARVEST FORCE A CLOSING THOUGHT | 67

A CLOSING THOUGHT

this aspect works against the church when it is

seen in contrast to what is indigenous.

It takes a long time before Christian elements

become part and parcel of the culture in

that nation. Here is where symbols play an

important part. Many local aspects of culture

can continue in the church. There is no need

to throw away everything that is local as

being pagan. Some fine discernment and

study of the origins of the local culture must

take place before one decides to discard

local symbols and practices. One of the

simplest ways of including local culture is

the dress, or national costume, especially

at Christian events. There should not be an

unthinking aping of western ceremonial

robes.

Another integral part of this transition to an

indigenous Christian culture is the worship

service. The hymns and songs we sing in

worship may initially be translations of

what the missionaries bring. But over time,

local compositions must be included in the

repertoire. The songs should not just be about

the lyrics, but also the music, accompanied

by indigenous musical instruments.

In the end, all of these development of

an indigenous Christian culture must be

grounded in Scripture and birthed of the Holy

Spirit.

ConclusionThese are the key signs of the coming of age

of an indigenous church. It is not possible

to hurry the process. The Holy Spirit must

drive this movement towards autonomy.

All other parties involved must be sensitive

to His leading and the social, political and

economic development of the nation. An

indigenous church birthed and empowered

by the Holy Spirit, grounded on Scripture,

and united in purpose will be able to make

significant strides in fulfilling the Great

Commission in that nation.

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

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A CLOSING THOUGHT

成熟

植堂最重要的一个里程碑是当地的教会逐渐成熟。这时, 我们

将看到

• 教会大部分或全部的领袖都是当地的基督徒。

• 教会全部的运作经费的由当地承担。

• 教会的异象是上帝赋予教会领袖的果实。

• 教会融合基督教与本土文化，最终教会本土化了。

本土的教会领袖

唯有在海外宣教机构以及当地信徒的自觉和有系统的努力下，

教会领导权才能转移给当地教会领袖。宣教机构在这段权利移

交的酝酿期也会面对许多挑战。

首先，有潜力的领袖有限，或根本不存在。虽然领袖的关键标准

是灵性的成熟性，他们所接受的正规教育也同样重要。假设多

数植堂都是在知识缺乏，较不发达的国家，领袖要具备有这些

条件确实不容易。

教会领袖并不局限于受按立的圣职人员。在卫理公会的体系

里，教会的最高领导层也必须包括信徒领袖。多数的圣职人员

都受过事工培训和特定的神学教育。教会广泛领导层中拥有专

业教育的信徒，在推动教会去促进国家的转化和发展是至关重

要的。当然这也关系到国家的教育系统。然而，留学回归的当地

人或许能够填补这方面的短缺。

经济独立

经济独立是教会成熟的迹象。这意味着教会同工的薪俸，事工

经费，教会实物资产都来自会友的奉献。有几个因素将影响这方

面的发展。

首先，当地信徒必须明白最终需要完全承担经济重任。宣教事

工初期的经费都来自差派宣教士的海外教会和信徒。若一开始

不教育当地教会这类的援助并非永久性，需要对方逐步承担，

将会造成不健康的依赖心态。

其次是教导十一奉献的重要。在经济不发达的国家, 这听起来

好像是增加那些生活在贫困线下信徒的负担。然而,十一奉献并

非教会和信徒之间的事。它是基督徒与神之间的事。神应许祂

的子民，遵行十一奉献者祂必敞开天上的窗户倾福于他。教会

经费有神来供应（即使是在发达国家，也是如此）；它不全依赖

国家的经济发展。因此即使在不发达的国家，若实行十一奉献，

必定会有神奇妙的祝福，教会成长并完成使命。

及早实行十一奉献并给予正确的教导，能使教会奠定稳实的经

济基础，最终经济独立。十一奉献也让我们看到凭借信心如何

克服我们的局限和对我们的依赖。

这不意味着海外宣教机构将终止拨款资助；而是

逐渐减少对海外的经济依赖，更大部分是当地筹

集的经费。完全的经济独立，需要花数年的时间循

序渐进才能完成。

愿景

从神所授予当地领袖在自己国家的使命可看出他

们成熟度。他们需要依照从神领受的使命制定计

划去执行。

一些社群对有恩于他们的外国人格外尊重顺从。

盼望在他们成熟并逐渐接手教会的领导棒时，能

与宣教士平起平坐。因此，宣教士必须积极培育他

们有成熟的灵命。

基督教本土化

基督教广泛被视为西方的宗教。这不完全正确，因

为它其实偏近中东而非西方。然而西方一直被视为

基督教的发源地。因此教会面对当地文化时会有

很大的张力。

将当地文化融入基督教需要一段时间，但也非常

重要。许多本土文化其实可被教会接受，没有必要

把它视为异教而全数抛弃。在决定废弃当地标记

和习俗前，必须仔细研究其起源和文化。本土文化

最简单的做法就是接受民族服装，尤其是在教会

活动，不应盲目模仿穿着西方的礼袍。

此外，教会的崇拜也应当转化为具有本土化色彩

的崇拜。教会敬赞的诗歌初期可能是翻译自宣教

士带进来的海外创作，但是曲风并没有本色化。经

过一段时间的预备，崇拜也当加入当地曲目，包括

歌词与音乐，并以本土乐器伴奏。

最后，基督教本土化的发展过程还须以圣经为基

础并由圣灵来孕育。

结论

这些都是本土化教会逐渐成熟的关键迹象，整个

转变过程需要时间酝量，也必须有圣灵的带领。

其他相关的人士必须敏感于圣灵的带领，并对社

会、政治和经济发展有一定的敏感度。由圣灵孕

育、主领，以圣经为基础，教会的合一，,将能够在

当地完成大使命并取得重大进展。

黄文合牧师（博士）

新加坡卫理公会会督

68 | HARVEST FORCE

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