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
8 | HARVEST FORCE
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
FIELD FEATURE • CAMBODIA | 9 8 | HARVEST FORCE
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
FIELD FEATURE • CAMBODIA | 11 10 | HARVEST FORCE
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
FIELD FEATURE • CAMBODIA | 13 12 | HARVEST FORCE
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.
14 | HARVEST FORCE
FIELD FEATURE • CAMBODIA | 15 14 | HARVEST FORCE
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
FIELD FEATURE • CAMBODIA | 19 18 | HARVEST FORCE
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.
You can be involved by:
• 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)
FIELD FEATURE • CAMBODIA | 21 20 | HARVEST FORCE
“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
FIELD FEATURE • CAMBODIA | 23 22 | HARVEST FORCE
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
FIELD FEATURE • CAMBODIA | 25 24 | HARVEST FORCE
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
FIELD FEATURE • CAMBODIA | 27 26 | HARVEST FORCE
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.
FIELD FEATURE • CAMBODIA | 29 28 | HARVEST FORCE
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
You can be involved by:
• 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.”
FIELD FEATURE • CAMBODIA | 31 30 | HARVEST FORCE
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)
FIELD FEATURE • CAMBODIA | 33 32 | HARVEST FORCE
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.
FIELD FEATURE • CAMBODIA | 35 34 | HARVEST FORCE
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.”
FIELD FEATURE • CAMBODIA | 37 36 | HARVEST FORCE
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.
You can be involved by:
• 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).
FIELD FEATURE • CAMBODIA | 39 38 | HARVEST FORCE
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
FIELD FEATURE • CAMBODIA | 41 40 | HARVEST FORCE
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
FIELD FEATURE • NEPAL | 47 46 | HARVEST FORCE
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
48 | HARVEST FORCE
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!)
FIELD FEATURE • NEPAL | 49 48 | HARVEST FORCE
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
50 | HARVEST FORCE
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.”
FIELD FEATURE • NEPAL | 51 50 | HARVEST FORCE
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
56 | HARVEST FORCE
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$200, Selfie Stick with remote, and Macro Lens Band
HOME HAPPENINGS | 57 56 | HARVEST FORCE
SPECIAL FEATURE • SSS TESTIMONIES | 58
Please mail cheque and completed form to: METHODIST MISSIONS SOCIETY, 70 Barker Road #06-01 The Methodist Centre Singapore 309936.Thank you for your gift and support. For more information, please contact us at 6478 4818.
Name [Rev/Dr/Mr/Mrs/Ms]
Mailing Address Postal code
Telephone [home] [office] [mobile]
Email address Church
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Self Collection [Please call us beforehand] By Post
METHOD OF DELIVERY
Payment by Credit Card VISA MasterCard Name on Card Card No
Expiry Date Signature
Payment by Cheque [Please make cheque payable to “The Methodist Church in Singapore (MMS)”]
Bank & Cheque No
METHOD OF PAYMENT
These DVDs present an overview of MMS work and ministries. Get your free copies now.
Read about God’s goodness and faithfulness in
MMS History Book “Blessed to be a Blessing”
Items Qty Total (S$)
MMS Book – Blessed to be a Blessing (S$10)
MMS DVD – Simple Faith Amazing Grace (2005 @ Cambodia)
MMS DVD – Of Miracles and Grace (2007 @ Nepal)
MMS DVD – Choose to Help a Few (2009 @ Thailand)
MMS DVD – MMS 20th Anniversary Videos (2011 @ China and Nepal)
MMS DVD – SSS Videos (2012)
MMS DVD – MMS at a glance (2013 @ Nepal)
Subtotal
My donation for MMS
My contribution to defray postage cost
TOTAL
ORDER FORM
PDPAMMS is committed to ensuring the security of all personal data she collects. MMS shall use and disclose such data only for her necessary purposes and if so, shall adhere to the guidelines of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). All personal data shall be kept strictly confidential at all times. If ever MMS has to disclose any personal data to any third party, she shall do so only with the prior consent of the owner of the personal data. To withdraw or limit consent, please email to [email protected].
Ple
ase
ap
ply
glu
e h
ere
OUR GIFTS FOR MISSIONSWe would like to support MMS so that the Good News of Jesus Christ can be proclaimed to the ethnic
Cambodians, Chinese, Lahus, Laotian, Nepalese, Thais, Timorese and Vietnamese, by giving to:
Source Code: PRT_HARVEST_F
I would like to make my gift of S$ through [please tick one]
Payment by Credit Card VISA MasterCard Name on Card Card No
Expiry Date Signature
Payment by Cheque
Bank & Cheque No
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
METHOD OF PAYMENT
GIFT DETAILS
Name [Rev/Dr/Mr/Mrs/Ms]
Mailing Address Postal code
Telephone [home] [office] [mobile]
Email address Church
I wish to receive Harvest Force magazine regularly. Please add me to your mailing list.
My comments, feedback and suggestions:
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Please apply glue here
Please apply glue here
Ple
ase
ap
ply
glu
e h
ere
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 $
Printing And Postage Cost Harvest Force & PrayerConnect $
Others (please specify): $
PDPA MMSiscommittedtoensuringthesecurityofallpersonaldatashecollects.MMSshalluseanddisclosesuchdataonlyforhernecessarypurposesandifso,shalladheretotheguidelinesofthePersonalDataProtectionAct(PDPA).Allpersonaldatashallbekeptstrictlyconfidentialatalltimes.IfeverMMShastodiscloseanypersonaldatatoanythirdparty,sheshalldosoonlywiththepriorconsentoftheownerofthepersonaldata.Towithdraworlimitconsent,[email protected].
Pho
to ©
jojo
van
MMS Executive DirectorMethodist Missions Society
70 Barker Road #06-01 The Methodist Centre
Singapore 309936
Postage will bepaid by
addressee. Forposting in
Singapore only.
Please fold here
“I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God which cost me nothing”2 Samuel 24:24
OUR GIFTS FOR MISSIONS
BUSINESS REPLY SERVICEPERMIT NO. 08175
SPECIAL FEATURE • SSS TESTIMONIES | 61
Pho
to ©
jojo
van
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.
62 | HARVEST FORCE SPECIAL FEATURE | 63
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.
62 | HARVEST FORCE SPECIAL FEATURE | 63
(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.
64 | HARVEST FORCE
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
68 | HARVEST FORCE
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
Recommended