“I am a Psalm,” I hear. It is apt.

We are at the launch of Yeo Whee Jim’s book of poems, Itinerary, in the Old Arts House. The capacious room in the historic building is packed with over 200 well wishers, and standing-room-only for latecomers.

Whee Jim, 50, in his wheelchair, can hardly be seen as he reads a bright poem recalling a childhood plucking ang moh dan (rambutans) at his grandmother’s home in Ang Sar Lee (Serangoon Gardens).

I am a son, a father and now an unlikely poet, he modestly describes himself to his audience of former colleagues, classmates from as far back as secondary school, friends old and acquaintances new.

He is also a Christian. And every mention of his faith, no matter how light, is poignant for one reason – Whee Jim is a striking Psalm in his frank grief, tragic loss and, most of all, his unshakable hope.

Growing up in Ang Sar Lee

Whee Jim’s CV is impressive: More than 20 years in the civil service including as Director of the Public Service Commission Secretariat in the Prime Minister’s Office and Institute Director of Governance and Policy at the Civil Service College.

His prowess in strategic planning, public policy issues and human resource development, among other skills, won him the Lien Ying Chow Fellowship 2019 for outstanding senior government officials.

This shining success was hard earned.

His father, the sole breadwinner, was a camera repairman; his mother a housewife.

Together with his brother and parents, young Whee Jim lived with his grandparents in Serangoon Gardens. Teochew aunts and cousins visited often to jiak png (eat rice) around a dining table steaming with assam fish curry and bak kut teh.

It was a modest but lively childhood with “lots of meals and big family gatherings”, recalls Whee Jim. His aunts would sneak money into his pockets and pile him with hand-me-down clothes because “on hindsight, they knew that we were not as well-to-do as the others”.

“There was love shown, not in words, but in food, care and concern,” he recalls.

Still, he was acutely aware that his family “had less than others”.

“Growing up, I was very clear that I didn’t want to be poor,” he tells Salt&Light. “There was no resentment. But I wanted to be able to afford things and adventures like my cousins.”

So he threw himself down the only Singaporean route he knew: Excelling in his studies in Raffles Institution, receiving a scholarship to study Mechanical Engineering in Osaka University, earning a Master’s in Business Administration from the BI Norwegian School of Management, and landing plum government jobs.

He admits his driving force was fear: “Fear of not being able to do well, fear of failing, fear of not being able to keep up. This fear led to competitiveness.”

With multiple material achievements in his back pocket, it seemed like he was in control of life, happiness, success.

Until he was not.

Faith and loss

While in Japan to pursue an undergraduate scholarship in Mechanical Engineering, Whee Jim met his future wife, Hui Lok Yan, in a Tokyo language school. Lok Yan was from Hong Kong and her reflective nature and adventurous spirit matched his own.

He was studying in Osaka University while she was in Tokyo University, and they bonded over the demands of university.

When they decided to get married eight years later, Lok Yan made the choice to relocate to Singapore, where Whee Jim’s career was thriving and where they could care for his ageing parents.

Whee Jim, Lok Yan and their daughter, Min, had six precious years together as a family before Lok Yan passed away from cancer.

It was Lok Yan, a Christian, who introduced Whee Jim to church. Enveloped by the warm church community and tutored by the pulpit, he began to comprehend the biblical foundation that gave his wife the stability and strength that described her character.

Together with their baby daughter, the young couple enjoyed a comfortable life with all the enthusiasm of young parenthood.

But in 2007 when their daughter turned one, the course of family life took an unexpected turn.

Lok Yan was still in her early 30s when she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.

Precious memories in Maldives.

“On days when she didn’t have chemo and was rested, she was pretty normal,” remembers Whee Jim.

“We had happy days as a small family unit. She wanted to go to Maldives; we went twice. We visited Hong Kong more regularly and spent time in Singapore just going out together as a family, raising our daughter.

“So at least we had those happy years together.”

Min was seven when Lok Yan passed away.

The diagnosis

As the young family sought to regain their footing, Whee Jim threw himself into work.

Retiring from civil service in 2020, he launched his own corporate training consultancy in 2021 in the midst of COVID. By late 2021, he had clinched a major deal with the Bhutanese government. The Omani and Vietnamese governments followed suit.

Father-daughter adventures when Whee Jim became a single parent.

“I found my niche and was having the time of my life,” says Whee Jim. “I could turn around tasks quickly – update my website, do the accounts, write the report, do the Powerpoint slides, and still have a life. My strengths were all developed in this role. It felt almost effortless.

“I was physically, emotionally and spiritually in a good place. My daughter was growing up and she looked like she was doing alright. We travelled together – when she was in Sec 1, we went to Kruger in South Africa and Botswana. Because she liked snowboarding, we went on a Japan ‘pilgrimage’ with her aunts.

“I went to the gym twice a day, did my swimming and walking, and still managed to serve in church in the children’s ministry and design the church newsletter. I remember thinking: Life feels close to perfect.”

Whee Jim (in sunglasses) working with the Bhutanese government.

But the euphoria would not last.

Towards the end of 2022, he experienced inexplicable muscle twitching and loss of control. Instead of building strength at the gym, he found himself handling less weight. In the pool, where he used to do 60 laps non-stop in under an hour, he could hardly make a lap.

When he was working in Oman, a microphone he was holding suddenly felt heavy. As he was taking food from the buffet table, he lost control of a bowl.

A medical check-up in January 2023 saw the polyclinic referring him to the National Neurological Institute, where he was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

“My life changed forever.”

When the earth tilted

Whee Jim remembers thinking: “No lah, cannot be lah.”

But more tests and a second opinion confirmed the results. The neurologist pegged his life expectancy at two to five years.

“I was devastated. I was also very angry with God,” remembers Whee Jim. “He gave me a Level 100 kind of challenge. Things appeared to be going well for me – my business was picking up, I was energetic, I felt great, spiritually I thought I was in a good place.

“It just showed later on how weak my faith was.”

Now, two years after his diagnosis, Whee Jim needs physical help to lift a cup, go to the toilet, bathe and get up from his wheelchair. In bed, he needs a non-invasive ventilator.

“It is easier to count the limited things that I can do,” he says wryly.

Where once he used to serve fancy refreshments in church – Japanese chicken curry on a biscuit garnished with parsley (as a student he’d worked part-time at a Tokyo bakery) – he is now unable to navigate the kitchen. Where once he trained high-level government officials, he is now unable to project his voice. Where once he was a Scripture reader in church, he can no longer hold a Bible nor flip its pages.

“It has been a humbling journey of reframing, rethinking and re-prioritising,” he says frankly.

Making every day count

But, unexpectedly, the illness has ushered Whee Jim into a new ministry of encouraging others.

In the past year, he has written multiple columns for The Straits Times and CNA raising awareness for ALS and reflecting on legacy and mortality. He has even published two books – Itinerary (a book of original poems to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association Singapore) and Moving (a collection of his photographs and reflections to raise funds for The Business Times Budding Artists Fund).

Reading poems from his book, Itinerary, at the Singapore Poetry Festival 2024.

“God has been good. This has been a season of a lot of sharing and speaking engagements in churches, Alpha and CBD fellowship groups. Just last week my church asked me to share my thoughts about receiving pastoral care. I also managed to do a set of caregiver materials which I passed to my Assisi  Hospice counsellor, who said it was useful.

“I’m constantly amazed by how God has worked to make all these happen, the people he sends.

“I believe coincidence is God’s way of staying anonymous. A friend used my photos of Singapore and through her own connections used it to raise $15,000 for vulnerable and needy families.

“Another friend said, ‘Why don’t you write a book of poems?’ I looked at him, ‘You seow ah? I can’t even grip a pen or type!’ But he encouraged me to write about my spirituality because he knew that that was important to me. He took my five loaves and two fish and made Itinerary what it is.

“At the same time, I also think this last phase of life shouldn’t be driven by accomplishments. That would be missing the whole point. I try not to think of these projects as accomplishments, but more as milestones.”

A keener clarity of legacy saw him destroying his certificates, plaques and letters of appointment – accomplishments he once chased – because “even when I was able-bodied I cannot remember the last time people asked me to show them my certificates. What did all these accomplishments amount to?”

Instead of chasing accomplishments, he now builds relationships.

“I used to think of myself as an extreme introvert. Now it’s conversations, meet-ups with old friends and new ones who have reached out, chats that I have – these are what still give me joy and make life meaningful. 

“Receiving has become the norm whereas in the past I was very paiseh. I’ve never been so vulnerable in my entire life. It’s very humbling. If I were to total up what people have done for me in the two years since my diagnosis, it’s unbelievable.”

Longtime close friends took Whee Jim to Bali in 2023 a few weeks before he needed to use a wheelchair.

Fellow brothers- and sisters-in-Christ who continue to journey with the family.

This includes neighbours who drive him to church, an ex-boss who spoon-fed him, long-time close friends who took him to Bali, and friends who visit regularly.

The giving goes both ways.

“One of the unexpected ways in which I’m giving back is allowing myself to be vulnerable. To talk about my own fears, my own failings, my struggles. I think that has created a space for friends who come and visit to come into that space and share their own brokenness.

“It’s an important process of healing, and of knowing that you’re not alone in your struggles. We are all broken and struggling in our own ways. Listening to each other brings comfort. I pray I’ll continue to facilitate bridges.” 

Praying for a miracle, trusting in God

“One of my former colleagues painted a calligraphy on Lamentations 3:21-22: His steadfast love never ceases, his mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning.

“I have it next to my bed and that’s the verse I wake up to. It’s also the verse my Christian medical social worker gave me – it is my spiritual manna, my daily portion.”

He admits: “It encourages but it also hits hard.

“I wake up and say, ‘Okay! I’m ready for my miraculous healing! Is this the day? No, it’s not the day.”

Neighbours who look out for Whee Jim and take him to church.

So how does this square with Lamentations 3:21-22?

“I do struggle, sometimes slipping into self-pity. So when I share, it’s not about painting a positive picture. There are all these struggles that I have, the whole gamut of emotions.

“But yet, every single morning, I’m blessed to have a caregiver who is very sensitive to my needs, and not only that, she’s very sensitive to my emotions. She encourages me with a bright smile. She comes in with a song. She goes, ‘Hello, boss, good morning, how are you?’ And then I think to myself, ‘Is this not Lamentations 3:21 to 23?’

“One of my church pastors from Ang Mo Kio Presbyterian Church, Lee Wen Cong, reminded me – especially in my earlier phase of diagnosis – to not make this disease, my trials and tribulations, about myself, but to move God into the centre of focus.

“One verse that really resonates with me and depicts my struggles is Hebrews 11:1: ‘Faith is confidence in what we hope for and the assurance in what we cannot see.'”

He underscores this in an interview with Impact magazine: “I’ve learnt the incredible power of choice: The choice to move ahead, the choice to trust God to sort things out for me, the choice to accept the gift of unmerited grace. I’ve learnt that when I choose to lean on God to support me, I can deal with anything in life.” 

The one important message

If there’s one thing Whee Jim hopes to convey in all his sharing, it’s this: Mai tu liao (don’t hesitate).

“We always think we have one more decade, one more year to write that book, seek closure in a frayed relationship, return to church.

“Until two years ago, I thought I had lots of time left – this can be for another day. 

“But this season has reminded me that things can change really quickly, and not everyone has the luxury of a tomorrow, next week, next month, five years down the road. I’m five years away from my CPF withdrawal age. But five years is very, very far for me, and I’m probably not going to reach that unless God decides otherwise.

“So if anyone is thinking, ‘Should I do this? Should I do that?’ Perhaps one could do with less thinking and more action, because you never know when your time is up.

“And if you’re wondering: Is God for real? Mai tu liao. Find out for yourself.”

Itinerary can be bought at https://bit.ly/43WlfIO and Kinokuniya at $30 (before GST). Nett proceeds from the sales will be donated to the Motor Neurone Disease Association Singapore.

Moving: Yeo Whee Jim’s Photographs and Reflections can be bought here at $88. Proceeds go towards The Business Times Budding Artists Fund.

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The post “Dying finally taught me about living”: Yeo Whee Jim was at the top of his game when life changed forever appeared first on Salt&Light.

He was just 36 years old in 1983.

He lay there injured and helpless for over an hour, before an ambulance finally arrived. By the time he was rushed to the hospital, his condition was critical.

The doctors delivered heartbreaking news to my mother: The chances of him surviving were slim. Even if he did pull through, he was likely to spend the rest of his life bedridden.

My mother was overwhelmed with fear and uncertainty.

How would she care for a bedridden husband while raising three young children alone?

I was only three years old at the time. My brothers were six and one. 

The author celebrating his first birthday with his parents and elder brother Gaius. Their younger brother Paul was not yet born. The author’s father met with the car accident two years after this photo was taken.

The image of my father lying in the hospital bed, body encased in casts, is etched in my memory, even after all these years.

My father regained consciousness, but could not accept the doctor’s prognosis that he would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

Our church pastor, the late Pastor James Hing, came to the hospital and prayed for my father.

Many others from our church joined in prayer as well, believing that Jesus has the power to heal, even though the doctors had reached the limits of medical science, even though all hope seemed lost.

During those darkest moments, my father also prayed boldly to God. He had only become a Christian four years earlier. 

Quoting Kings 20 and Isaiah 38, my father told God: “Lord, just as You extended King Hezekiah’s life by fifteen years, You can extend mine too.” 

Ps James also brought a word from 1 Peter 2:24: “By His wounds you have been healed.”

This verse became a lifeline for my father. He clung to it, repeating it over and over until it stirred up his faith.

The author’s father, Daniel Lee (fifth from left, in white) and pastor James Hing (right, in white), with members of their house church in 1979.

Then the unexplainable happened.

Celebrating the author’s fifth birthday in 1985 – two years after the accident – and his father’s recovery.

My father began to recover. Strength returned to his body.

From being completely immobilised, he progressed to sitting up, then standing, and eventually walking. After just one month in the hospital, he was discharged – much to the amazement of the medical staff.

The Lee brothers were in primary school when this photo was taken in the late 1980s.

The doctors, unable to explain his sudden recovery, recorded it in their reports as a “miracle”.

Though my father could no longer exercise rigorously nor carry heavy things after the accident, he could still work and function normally to fulfil his daily needs.

The accident was a catalyst of change

My father’s miraculous recovery deepened his faith in God.

He left his job in the business world and, together with my mother, became a private tutor.

He also served faithfully in the church – first as an interpreter, then as an elder.

Daniel Lee (right) with his pastor, Adam Hing, on a mission trip in 2006.

Over the next three decades, he dedicated himself to travelling around Asia, offering help and hope to communities by sharing his testimony of healing and the love of Christ.

The accident that could have taken his life became the catalyst for a deeper belief in the promises of God.

It affirmed to him, and our family, that nothing is impossible for God.

We, as a family, witnessed firsthand the hand of God and His grace and mercy through my father’s recovery. That strengthened our own faith, too.

40 years later

More than 40 years have passed since the accident that changed our lives.

My father is still with us – healthy, active and a walking testimony of God’s goodness. 

Every morning, he prays for our family and the needs of those around him.

He has seen his children grow into adulthood, finish their education, find stable jobs, and start families of their own.

Having been shaped by the godly influence of our father and mother, my brothers and I followed in our parents’ footsteps by becoming educators, a profession that serves to shape the lives of others positively. 

“My parents’ siblings witnessed my father’s miraculous healing. Some of them accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord,” said the author, pictured on his wedding day with his extended family.

My father still serves in church as an elder.

My two brothers, Gaius and Paul, now serve as associate pastors.

Some of my father’s grandchildren are also serving actively in church in ministries like worship, logistics and serving the needs of the elderly.

Just recently, the author’s parents celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary – another testament of God’s goodness.

God says in Exodus 15:26: “I am the Lord who heals you.”

Our family’s story is a living reminder that even in the darkest moments, God’s power and love is at work.

With church members after a Bible study led by the author (back row, fifth from left).

We have seen His faithfulness through this and other trials, and we have seen how when God blesses a person, others around are blessed, too.

While looking through some old family photos, the Lord prompted me to write this article, so that more people will know of God’s faithfulness and healing grace.

A version of this story first appeared in Stories of Hope.

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The big, red letters shouted at me from the top of the letter I held in my hands. It was a letter from the Inland Revenue Service (IRS), the modern-day tax collector of America.

I had no idea how it could have been paid in full when I owed more than US$2,000 in taxes to the IRS. I was living and working in New York at the time.

I got into this debt because of a little entrepreneurial venture with my roommate which actually lost us both money.

For someone taking home just over US$2,000 a month – this barely covered rent and the necessities of life – that US$2,000 debt to the US government burnt a hole in my pocket and my heart.

Trying to duke it out with the bureaucracy of the IRS took me nowhere. Praying for help did not occur to me at that time. I was relying on my wits, which were depleted by then, and on my contacts, none of whom had the power to help.

I told no one about my financial woes. But one Sunday, during a sermon at church, God spoke as clearly as if He were right next to me, pouring out His heart:

“Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your panelled houses, while this house lies in ruins?”  (Haggai 1:4-9) 

For reasons I still cannot explain, my heart broke.

That evening, I went home and wrote a cheque for 10% of my income to the church, the house of God that was lying in ruins.

Finance 101 as taught by God

Prior to that Sunday, I had never tithed. In fact, I had always struggled with finances.

The word “tithe” comes from the Hebrew word עשר which means “ten”. In the Old Testament, tithing or giving the first tenth of one’s harvest or earnings was a way to show obedience and worship to God. 

I did not take home much but never felt richer. There was always something left over. Photo by author.

Although I had heard about tithes – which seemed to me a nebulous idea – I was never convinced and never convicted. 

But on that day in church, God laid out the facts for me with no judgment, just the quiet Voice of love. 

Realising that I was so busy looking after my own house that I had neglected God’s house was a gut punch. Let me explain: I was attending a little church in the South Bronx that always flooded with sewer water in the basement whenever the storms came. This church could neither afford proper AV equipment nor take appropriate care of its pastors. 

I dropped the cheque in the offering bag the following Sunday with a gulp and giant knot in my stomach. I had a gaping hole in my budget that I did not know how to fix. 

Three days after I paid that first tithe, the letter from the IRS came in the mail. My debt was “paid in full”.

God knew how to fix a financial problem: He started from my heart. 

My financial journey took a complete turnaround that day.

Here are nine lessons I learnt through tithing. 

1. My tithe is not a gift 

A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. (Leviticus 27:30)

A birthday present is a gift. My mother’s kisses are a gift. The Christmas feast from my editor was a gift. They did not belong to me and I did not earn them. They were freely given out of love or appreciation or any assorted reason.

God used the tithes of His people to bless the mothers from my Bronx church on Mother’s Day. Photo by author.

My tithe, on the other hand, is not a gift. It belongs to God. So when I pay my tithe, I have to stop patting myself on the back.

The Bible is clear that a tenth of everything belongs to God and is to be set apart for Him.

He calls it robbery if we do not give Him what belongs to Him (Malachi 3:8).   

2. A tithe is a tenth 

God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).

But a tithe is not a gift (see 1). The Old Testament separates tithes from offerings (Deuteronomy 16:17).

Beyond the tithe, God loves any number of loaves and fishes I offer Him. 

3. God calls the shots on tithes

Since God owns the tithe, He has final say on where the money goes to.

In the Bronx where the needs were so visible, I had no problem bringing my whole tithe into the storehouse.

When I moved to Singapore into a (much) bigger church with better equipment, I struggled to bring all my tithes into this new home church.

The verse in Malachi says “see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven” (emphasis mine) but I wanted to “allocate”. Having no insight into where the money went to made me uncomfortable. 

I remember an occasion when I gave an offering for a group of youths from the Bronx on a short-term mission. I had indicated that the funds were meant for meals but I later found out the pastor collected money from the youths. I held in my indignation until I could no longer.

My pastor lovingly told me, “I do not want these youths to grow up having the mindset of entitlement. I wanted them to experience giving as well.” I shut up then.

I decided then that once given, the money was God’s and the recipient’s to dispense.

I had to learn again to trust that every penny will be directed to where it is needed. And if not, God will make straight the path of the tithe when it is submitted to Him (Proverbs 3:6).

4. Tithing is partnership with God 

I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting. (Numbers 18:21)

I held the unwelcome task of managing the finances of my church in the Bronx. It was a big job not because we had a big budget, but because our monthly deficit was always the size of faith that could only be closed by God. 

The tithes and offerings paid not just for rent and operations of the church but were the sole source of wages of the pastor and church workers. In a little church with the bare necessities and just a handful of gainfully employed workers who tithed, this became glaringly evident. 

In the spiritual reform of Jerusalem by king Hezekiah, “He ordered the people living in Jerusalem to give the portion due the priests and Levites so they could devote themselves to the Law of the Lord” and the Israelites responded by bringing “a great amount, a tithe of everything“. (2 Chronicles 31:4-5).

I saw first-hand how the full-time pastors and church workers lived from pay check to pay check.  One of the pastors could not afford to quit his day job and had to juggle that with family and church work, leaving him little time and energy to dedicate himself fully to shepherding and nurturing the flock in his care. 

Since the cattle on a thousand hills belong to God, He would not fall off His throne and stop His work if I didn’t tithe.

But I would have missed out on the privilege of being in partnership with God in building His kingdom on earth. 

5. Tithes showcase God’s blessings

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty. (Malachi 3:10; 12)

God issued a challenge here to test Him. 

When I trust Him by putting money where my mouth is, He prospers me. My difficulty was reconciling this promise with the financial lack I see faithful tithers endure.

But 3 John 1:2 pointed out for me how God prospers us; it could be in wealth, in health and/or in soul. 

God sent a car that cost US$200 and ferried church members to and from church. Photo by author.

I found that with my small pay check, my needs in the costly metropolis that is New York were always provided for.  

I always managed to find what many of my friends call “insanely cheap” housing in nice neighbourhoods. I never had to withdraw from social activities due to lack of funds – there was always something left over for me to spend on myself. I bought a $200 car that ran beautifully; with that car I ferried the youths home on Friday nights after church. When I had a severe health risk and had to fight the insurance company for coverage, God fought and won every battle for me. 

My soul prospered big time. I made little but I had never felt richer. 

All my friends could see how “lucky” I was. I explained each time that it was not luck but a blessing from God. 

I saw how God provided for the community with the tithes of the congregation. 

Tithes were the mainstay of support for hospitality, outreaches and community service. The people in the neighbourhood came for Mother’s Day tea, Father’s Day lunch and block parties in the summer. This was a church that gave to the community and the people knew it. 

6. The tithe is an expression of my utmost for His highest 

Honour the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10)

After I committed to tithing, I grappled with angst over the question of gross income or net income. In New York City, where 39% of my pay check was gone even before it even came to me, this question really hit the pocket and heart hard. 

I found the answer in this verse. 

First fruits meant I skim off the cream in the milk to pay God before I pay the government, or the landlord, or the utility company.  

Bring God the first fruits means bringing the best. Photo by Arturrro on Unsplash

7. Tithes come from what I have, not what I lack

My commitment to tithing started in the midst of a financial desert; it was so dry I could see cracks in my budget very month.

On particularly hard months, I would ask God if He would provide more income so I could tithe with less pain. 

But I saw that God first gave the mandate to the Israelites to tithe in the barrenness of the desert, not the lavish comfort of a mansion. (Leviticus 27:30).

He was their sole provider, and they tithed out of His provision for them.

So I learnt to. 

8. Tithe in an age of grace is greater than law 

‘“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. ‘ Matthew 23:23

I hear often that grace in the New Testament has made the Old Testament law of tithing redundant.

But Jesus Himself said He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfil them (Matthew 5:17). 

Our Lord never set aside the mandate to tithe. In this verse, He emphasised the need to obey the law … and more. 

Because of grace, I got none of what I deserved but an excess of what I did not deserve. Because of grace, tithing became just a baseline for me. 

9. Tithing purifies my heart

I have always wondered why God had to put Abraham through the painful exercise of sacrificing his son. I had never bought into the proposition that God wanted simply to test Abraham. I found the answer to my wonderings in The Pursuit of God by AW Tozer.

In the second chapter, Tozer delves into the call of Abraham by God to sacrifice his beloved son as an offering. 

“God let the suffering old man go through with it up to the point where He knew there would be no retreat, and then forbade him to lay a hand upon the boy… He now says in effect, ‘It’s all right, Abraham. I never intended that you should actually slay the lad. I only wanted to remove him from the temple of your heart that I might reign unchallenged there.’

“After that bitter and blessed experience I think the words ‘my’ and ‘mine’ never had again the same meaning for Abraham. The sense of possession … was gone from his heart. Things had been cast out forever… His inner heart was free from them.”  AW Tozer, The Pursuit of God 

God weaned me from my dependence on money for security. Photo from Unsplash.com

It is not a perfect comparison but the same happened to me when God offered me the choice to surrender my finances or hold on to it.

I can testify that through tithing, God weaned me from my dependence on money for security. God’s call to lay down my finances was His mercy to me, that I may know Him: As the Creator who owns all creation; as the Father who takes care of His children.

This is the truth I rest in when the job is gone, the bank account dries up and when commitments crash in like a tsunami.

A heart question

So to tithe or not to tithe? It is a question of the heart.

In the book of Genesis, Abraham and Jacob give a tithe to God even before it became law (Genesis 14:18-20; Genesis 28:22).

Nobody told them to. It was their expression of gratitude and honour to God. 

God loved us first by us by giving us all we need; we love God by obeying His commandments (John 14:15). 

This is no equal exchange. Someone had to pay. And the Son of God did. 

In full. 

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When the “typical church” has more seniors (aged 65 years and above) than children and youth?

When the median age of its church members has crept above 40, 45, maybe even 50 years?

When you look around in the congregation each week and find more and more grey hairs?

We should not be surprised by this prospect for the church in Singapore, because the church is a subset of the country. The reality is that Singapore has been an “aged society” since 2017, and is set to be a “super-aged society” by 2026, when more than 1 in 5 Singaporeans will be aged 65 years and above.

Our resident population’s median age is currently at 42.8 years. For the moment, our seniors do not outnumber the youth and children: 18.9% of our resident population are youth and children, while 17.7% are seniors.

But with a total fertility rate of less than 1, and an increasing life expectancy, it is only a matter of time before this statistic flips.

Church demography vs Church vitality

When the whole church, and indeed the whole society’s demographic shifts to become super-aged, Christians must ask the existential questions with open eyes: Does this trend pose a grave challenge to the church? Could this also be a season for opportunity?

This is where the State of the Church in Singapore Study 2024 comes in.

The SOTC was first launched in 2022 as an annual collaborative research effort between Biblical Graduate School of Theology, Singapore Bible College, Trinity Theological College, and Salt&Light. SOTC study reports are meant to provide empirically-derived observations and insights to stimulate reflection and action, especially at the local church level.

All of this is done in the spirit of unity in Christ, in hope that the Church in Singapore can proactively identify and respond well to important trends together.

The first SOTC study examined the outlook of the Church in Singapore as we emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The second study, conducted in 2023, was a qualitative examination of local churches that were attracting young adults.

This third study, conducted this year (2024), focuses on “The Church and Seniors”. In this study, we had two main research questions:

1. How is the church in Singapore experiencing the increasing agedness of our society? (This is a question of church demography.)
2. How is the church in Singapore engaged in the ministry of Seniors? (This is a question of church vitality.)
   

In all, 35 churches of various sizes and across denominations, representing over 50,000 Christians, participated in the SOTC2024 study.

7 initial findings from SOTC2024: The Church and Seniors

The full “State of the Church: The Church and Seniors” report, with detailed findings and figures, will be released on Friday 10 January, 2025.

But to give you a teaser of what we’ve found, here are some snapshots of our findings:

1. The Singapore Church age demography roughly mirrors the aged Singapore Resident population.
2. There are significant differences in demography across local churches, and also between language-specific congregations. This means that churches do not uniformly experience our aged-ness. 
3. Chinese-language congregations are more aged than English-language congregations.
4. A third of our churches are facing a looming staffing problem, as the majority of their staff are set to retire within the next 7 to 10 years. This challenge is more pronounced when we look only at Senior Pastors.
5. There is evidence of vitality among seniors, as we are seeing churches reporting more regular attendees and also baptisms among their seniors. We praise God that in some churches, baptisms exceeded bereavements.
6. 74% of churches studied have established ministries for seniors and have mobilised seniors to participate in various forms of ministry to others. This is an area that more churches may want to seriously consider.
7. Senior pastors shared a holistic range of ministry concerns and priorities related to seniors. Their main outlook towards pastoring seniors is that of “hope”.

Join us for the full SOTC2024 report release

To dive deeper into the findings, join us in-person at the SOTC2024 Report Release Gathering to be held at St Andrew’s Cathedral, at 9.30am on Friday, 10 January, 2025.

The Report Release Gathering is open to Pastors, church staff and ministry leaders, whether full-time or lay.

We look forward to a time of prayerful reflection and discussion of the findings.

Register here by 7 January: https://saltandlig.ht/sotc2024release

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The post The church in Singapore is ageing. How will we respond? State of the Church Study 2024 appeared first on Salt&Light.

As a result of hyperoxia – a condition caused by an oversupply of oxygen that narrows retinal blood vessels – she lost her sight at birth.

Her parents sought help, even travelling to Singapore in hopes of saving her vision, but doctors were unable to reverse the damage.

The challenges of blindness

Growing up blind in East Malaysia, where awareness and support for the disabled were limited, Ruth faced immense challenges.

“I attended a special needs school during my primary years, but it was far from pleasant. I was abused, even physically, by both teachers and classmates,” shared the 33-year-old.

At 14, she faced another terrifying ordeal. Home alone, she heard the sound of breaking glass and realised a thief had broken in.

Fearing for her safety, she bolted upstairs and locked herself in a room.

“I thank God for His protection and for giving me the presence of mind to call my neighbours, who came over. The intruder fled before taking anything,” she recalled.

These experiences fuelled Ruth’s resolve to become independent.

She excelled academically, earning a scholarship and graduating with a double major in Communications and Psychology from Monash University, Malaysia, in 2017.

Despite being the only blind student in her university, Ruth graduated with a degree in Communications and Psychology from Monash University Malaysia in 2017.

Since then, she has worked various jobs and is now pursuing a Master’s in English.

To those on the outside, Ruth’s life might seem like a picture of resilience and success. Yet, she still wrestles with deep questions.

“Just recently, I asked God again: ‘Why me? Why do I have to suffer so much while others take their ability to see for granted?'”

A lonely path

Ruth admitted that loneliness is one of her biggest struggles. “I don’t have many friends, but I’m sure that’s not unique to me,” she said.

Her disability makes socialising difficult, and even within the blind community, forming friendships has been challenging.

“While doing my Master’s, I often feel so alone in this journey. There aren’t many willing to help, and I’ve even received hurtful comments like, ‘You’re just not grateful, that’s why you’re not happy,'” she shared.

Living with blindness can be lonely. Ruth is grateful for online communities such as her connect group from a church in Kuala Lumpur, where she’s able to fellowship with other believers.

Those words cut deep, but Ruth brings her pain to God, finding comfort in His presence.

“I believe the Lord is my true friend. He will never leave or forsake me. People may fail us, but God never does. I can only do my best here on earth,” she said.

Strengthened in God’s presence

Ruth was raised in a Christian home but only came to know God personally at the age of 22.

“A friend introduced me to a pastor at a Baptist church and, through his guidance, I received the Holy Spirit and began praying in tongues,” she recalled.

Since then, her relationship with God has been marked by a simple, childlike faith.

“Scripture is full of promises that remind me I can rely on God throughout this journey. Not by my own strength, but His. To do that, I need to spend time with God daily and fellowship with other believers,” she explained.

Since her childhood, Ruth has expressed and felt God’s love for her through music, performing at recitals such as this one at the Kuching State Library.

In God’s presence, Ruth experiences deep peace.

These sacred moments also give her a different perspective, enabling her to focus on herself less and more on God. 

“In my down moments, I can cry out to Him. In His presence, my burdens are lifted,” she shared.

Spending time with God is non-negotiable for Ruth, as it is where she finds the strength to keep going and avoid sinking into despair.

Working three times harder than everyone else

After graduation, finding work proved more challenging than Ruth had anticipated.

She initially secured jobs in recruitment and telemarketing, but when the pandemic struck, her opportunities dwindled to nothing.

“For someone with a disability, it’s tough to find stable employment. I kept asking God for direction, but it was exhausting to keep applying and not see success,” she admitted.

It was not for a lack of effort. Ruth is no stranger to hard work – throughout her education, she has had to put in more time and effort than her peers.

At university, she was the only blind student on campus.

“As I can’t read, I use a software that reads digital books and notes to me. When writing assignments, the software reads my work back so I can make corrections. Everything takes a lot of time,” Ruth explained.

On top of that, not all reading materials or notes were available digitally. She relied on her mother and supportive friends who recorded themselves reading aloud or typed out lecture notes for her.

Born into a sighted family, Ruth honours her parents for their sacrifices. Her mother would read aloud textbooks and Scripture to her, and family holidays always included her.

Completing each assignment often took three times longer for her than for her classmates, and the workload frequently left her exhausted and discouraged.

Yet, despite the challenges, Ruth’s time at Monash University remains among her happiest memories.

“I thank God for where He placed me. I made friends who would take me around, and my housemates always looked out for me,” she said.

Her lecturers, too, went above and beyond to support her. In fact, one of those lecturers, a Christian who taught Ruth during her time at Monash, recently hired her as a research assistant, remembering her determination and work ethic.

Seeing beyond her blindness

Reflecting on her life, Ruth noted how many sighted people often take their vision for granted.

“So much of life requires sight, from picking up dropped items to watching YouTube videos,” she said, sharing just a few examples.

Yet, instead of harbouring bitterness or resentment, Ruth channels her energy toward blessing others.

“I’m comforted knowing this world is not my eternal home. I believe God wants to use my life here on earth to serve others and be a living testimony of His hope and salvation,” she shared.

In 2020, she began conducting online English lessons, as well as other subjects, for refugee children in Malaysia, recognising the importance of language skills.

Ruth believes that a strong foundation in English will open doors to better employment opportunities for her students, no matter where they are resettled.

Life has meaning even with disability

Ruth hopes to complete her Master’s degree and secure permanent employment to support herself. However, she has no intention of stopping her service to others.

“Today, I still teach English twice a week to refugee children from Myanmar. Knowing that I am blessing others, even with my disability, reminds me of my purpose in Christ,” she said.

Throughout the interview, Ruth frequently quoted from God’s Word.

One verse she returned to was John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

She challenges both able-bodied and disabled believers to share God’s love in whatever way they can, emphasising that doing so brings deeper meaning to life.

She said: “Life is hard, but don’t give up. Discover what you love doing – we all have strengths – and use that to bless others. The Lord is our ultimate source of comfort and peace.”

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Art and faith

The post “God wants to use my life to serve others”: Born blind, yet she finds purpose in helping refugees appeared first on Salt&Light.

Charmain and Ps Jacob with baby Eliza.

In Part 1, Salt&Light traced the Lim’s journey from the conception to the birth of their daughter. This is Part 2 of their story.

The long wait

Eliza was born with rare heart defect – pulmonary atresia. Her pulmonary valve, located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery, did not form. So blood could not be pumped from her heart to her lungs to get oxygen to the body.

Eliza (in Charmaine’s arms) never left the hospital after she was born.

Delivered at 31 weeks, she weighed just 1.4kg and was immediately whisked away to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). There, she was attached to machines that helped her breathe, monitored her condition and fed her. She had to be hospitalised till she hit 2.5kg and could undergo surgery to fix her faulty heart valve. Only then could she be discharged.

Every day in the hospital was a rollercoaster ride of “waiting and hoping” for the Lims. Some days, Eliza fed well and put on weight. Some days, she could not keep down her milk and lost weight.

As a premature baby, Eliza also had all the attendant medical issues including underdeveloped lungs and retinopathy of prematurity, the abnormal growth of blood vessels in the eyes.

“There was a lot of drama. Intubation, blood transfusion, eye dilation, scans, IV needles. It was very hard to see her going through the pain.

“It was also very scary to receive phone calls from the hospital to come down because you don’t know what they are going to tell you,” said Charmaine, 41.  

Through all this, there were also happy memories.

Recalled Ps Jacob, 43: “I would talk to her, pray with her, hold her hand. When she could get out of the incubator and was able to respond more and there were fewer wires attached to her, I was able to carry her, read to her.

Eliza was an expressive child who engaged with her parents throughout her short life.

“She could recognise me and grab firmly onto my finger. When I held her, she would stare at me. Those are the endearing moments, very sweet, very heartwarming.”

Charmaine chimed in: “She’s Daddy’s girl. When he comes to play with her, she is very happy. She’s playful. When I do flash cards with her, she gets a bit cranky, she will yawn.”

Her fight for life

By the time Eliza was five months old, she only weighed 2kg. But the doctors told the Lims they had to go ahead with the surgery. The ideal timeframe for the procedure was within the first three months after birth. They had long passed that deadline.

At five months, Eliza underwent open-heart surgery to correct her defective heart valve.

“I was quite hopeful. That means that after this first surgery, she can go home. We already prepared a room for her,” said Charmaine.

Husband and wife were also assured that the surgery, though major, was a well-established procedure with a high success rate. Though it took twice the expected four hours, Eliza’s open-heart surgery was indeed a success.

Eliza had a few surgeries in an effort to correct her congenital heart condition.

But two days after, the Lims were called into the hospital before dawn. Eliza’s heart had stopped and they had had to resuscitate her.

“From then on, it became a very stressful season. Almost every day or two, something new would happen to her.”

Eliza went through countless scans – brain, lungs, heart. She received blood transfusion after blood transfusion and was put on kidney dialysis.

Another open-heart surgery was ordered because her body did not respond well to the first device they implanted in her. Then another surgery was done because the second one did not help her. She also had to be resuscitated a few times.

Said Charmaine: “It was very difficult to see her in so much pain. After one episode of resuscitation, it was raining heavily outside and I asked God, ‘Are You crying for Eliza?’

“I thought: ‘Wow, you are six months old but you have never seen a tree, never heard a bird chirping. Things that we take for granted you never had the pleasure of experiencing.’

“She never even had her parents give her a normal bath in a bathtub. All this that a normal child goes through, she never had the opportunity. All the losses.”

Despite the medical crises, Eliza hung on. She was sedated but she could open her eyes. Doctors said she could also hear what was said to her.

Said Ps Jacob: “She couldn’t respond like she used to. But we told her she was a brave girl for always bouncing back. We told her we loved her.”

Added Charmaine: “But we also told her, ‘If God wants to take you home, if you are tired, just go.’”

After that, Eliza started to show signs of improvement. Even so, doctors told the Lims to be prepared for the worst. Thus far, only Ps Jacob and Charmaine had been allowed to visit Eliza. Now the doctors gave other family members permission to see her.

Ps Jacob also baptised her.

“We bought her a baptism dress. It was a surreal moment. She was the first child I baptised.”

A life remembered  

A month after the surgery and three weeks after being put on life support, doctors told the Lims they had to take Eliza off the machine. She had gone past the optimal two weeks on life support.

“The machine pumped blood throughout her body (to) let her heart rest in the hope that her heart can be strengthened.

“If she was off the machine, the heart may start pumping again. They knew the chances were low. We were prepared. We dressed her up that day and told her, ‘You might meet the Lord today’,” said Ps Jacob.

As the machine was switched off, Eliza’s heartbeat became fainter and fainter. Ps Jacob and Charmaine were allowed to hold her.

“We watched her fade away. I had never carried her without tubes around her. It was the first time I could carry her as she was, see her entire face without any tubes or stickers.

“She looked very peaceful, like she was sleeping. That sense that she is not suffering anymore. It was a very sad but peaceful moment. It was a sacred moment,” said Charmaine, tearing at the memory.

Charmaine told Salt&Light about the light she saw throughout that dark season: “We are very thankful for our community. I’m quite introverted, very paiseh (shy) in front of people.

“But when we got to know Eliza’s condition, the news was too big to carry on our own. I knew I just had to ask people to pray for us straight away.”

Pray they did. The church in which Ps Jacob served, the one in which Charmaine worked, the churches from which both came and their Trinity Theological College (TTC) friends all prayed for Eliza throughout the six months.

“The night before the final procedure, the WSCS (Women’s Society of Christian Service) of the GC (General Conference of The Methodist Church in Singapore) organised a prayer meeting over Zoom for us,” said Ps Jacob.

Added Charmaine: “From the beginning, we were supported by our community through prayer, through presence, through food.

“At the wake, so many came. It was very healing to retell her story, to celebrate her bravery, to honour her and say her name. It kept her legacy alive.”

Despite the grief, Ps Jacob chose to conduct Eliza’s wake service.

“It was the little something I could do for her. I knew her journey best. It was therapeutic.”

The healing continues

The first year after their loss, Charmaine lived in a haze of grief. As time went by, she thought she would recover.

By the second year, she was working as a counsellor in a community hospital. Seeing people “getting poked” brought back memories of the weeks she had to be hospitalised when she was 27 weeks pregnant with Eliza.

“I had bodily sensations. I could feel it. The body remembered the trauma as much as I wanted to hide it.”

She also could not bear to look at photos of her daughter’s difficult last month in the hospital when the little girl was fighting for her life. As a trained counsellor, she knew she needed help. So she went for counselling.

“After that, I thought I was quite good. Zai (steady) already. Life per normal.”

Then she went for a silent retreat to pray about work-related issues. Instead, God spoke to her about her grief.

“I realised that I was very angry with God even though I didn’t want to. I hadn’t felt it till then. So I scolded Him and scolded Him till I had no more energy left.

“At the end of it, I remember asking God, ‘How is my Eliza now?’ And God was so kind. He gave me a vision of a baby, chubby and crawling. There was no scar, not even the open-heart surgical line. But I knew that was Eliza. God was assuring me that she was okay, she was very okay.

“That was my spiritual breakthrough with God. I could be honest with my feelings with Him. At the end of the day, all my questions may not have an answer. But all I needed to know about Eliza, I knew. She is doing good.”

Ps Jacob’s journey with grief is ongoing.

“Recovery takes time. I cannot deny God is good because of my journey (with Him) for a long time. But it still doesn’t make sense to me. I am still going through ups and downs.”

Ps Jacob is still processing his pain, but uses his personal encounter with grief and loss to minister to his congregation.

One thing that he has found comfort in was what an older pastor told him. Ps Jacob had wondered if it was something he had done wrong that had brought about such a tragedy. But the older pastor told him that God knew which parents were better able to care for a difficult child.

“He said, ‘It’s not anybody’s wrongdoing. It is just the brokenness of the world. God knew that by placing this child with this family, this child will be loved to the best of their abilities.’”

His loss has also marked his ministry. Ps Jacob has a greater empathy now for people. He is working with the lay in his church to extend care to families who have lost loved ones that goes beyond the funeral.

“I tell people, it’s okay to say, ‘I’m struggling. I’m angry with God. But always come back to God and ask the difficult questions.’”

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The post “If God wants to take you home, just go”: Parents told their baby after watching her endure procedure after painful procedure appeared first on Salt&Light.

They found Him in Bethlehem, worshipped Him and presented their gifts. They accomplished their mission.

In contrast, we have Herod.

When told that a King was born, Herod felt threatened and sought to eliminate the newborn King.

He pretended that he was also interested in worshipping the new King, and asked the Magi to keep him informed.

When he found out that the Magi had left for home without reporting back to him, he slaughtered all the babies in Bethlehem.

His purpose was to eliminate baby Jesus – if so, his mission was not successful. Jesus had been safely smuggled out of Bethlehem and into Egypt.

Between the Magi and Herod, we have a sharp contrast of how we can view Jesus, the One born to be not just any king, but the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

We can either receive with Him with awe and reverence, or we can reject Him and have nothing to do with Him.

Today there are still people like Herod around. They are troubled and threatened by the mention of another king. They want to run their own lives. They want to be their own lord. 

Thank God there are people like the Magi who acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and King. They go to great lengths to seek Him and find Him. And when they find Him, they offer their very best to Him.

Do you care?

There is a third group of people whom we often overlook in the Christmas story. We may call them “the others”.

They are overlooked, perhaps, because they appear and disappear just as quickly in the narrative, even though their role is not a small one (Matthew 2:3-6).

They are not like Herod who goes out of his way to destroy Jesus.

Neither are they like the Magi who go out of their way to find and worship Jesus.

This third group consists of the chief priests and teachers of the law. King Herod called them together and consulted them as to where the King of the Jews would be born.

These religious leaders knew the Scriptures. They quoted the right chapter and verse, and pointed Herod and the Magi to Bethlehem.

But did they do anything about the announcement of the newborn King? Nothing. They knew where He would be born – just a few kilometres away. But they did nothing.

They did not move a finger or a foot to find the King. They just knew where He could be found.

Could it be that many people in the world today are like that – including those in the church?

We know the Scriptures. We can even give advice from it. We are not far from where “church” is happening.

We are neither passionately for Jesus nor passionately against Him.

We are simply apathetic.  

This Christmas, which are you? The Magi, who sought out the King to worship Him?

King Herod, who sought out the King to destroy Him?

Or are you “the others” who knew what was happening, stood on the outside as spectators, and let events pass without affecting them in any way?

MORE CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS:

The grace of receiving: Let it abound

Feeling the loss of a loved one this “merry” season? Remember the Christ of Christmas

Let your hopes and fears meet the Christ of Christmas

The grace of receiving: Let it abound

The post This Christmas, are you receiving the King like the Magi, King Herod … or the others? appeared first on Salt&Light.

In Isaiah 40, the prophet foresees God’s people returning to Jerusalem from their Babylonian exile, weary and exhausted. Yet, he also sees the refreshing hand of God at work, in spite of – or perhaps because of – their exhaustion.

Human weariness on this long road of faith is something we must all acknowledge, along with our inability to cope. As long as we’re human, we will grow tired – regardless of age, because even “youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted” (Isaiah 40:30). If we don’t rest, we will burn out. It is that simple, and no one is exempt.

Unfortunately, many of us experience a strange guilt about needing and taking time to rest. We are driven by cultural, societal and moral duty to push ourselves beyond holy limits of exertion.

Some of us are further trapped in this cycle of exhaustion by believing the lie that our self-worth and identity are tied to what we do and how much we achieve.

As baby boomers, my peers and I believed that staying fervently active in ministry and Bible study, as well as joining countless late-night committee meetings, were signs of spiritual maturity and leadership. It took a while, but God finally brought me to the realisation that this is not quite true.

My relationship with God had become framed by a long checklist of things I thought I was doing for Him, while the quality of our actual relationship had deeply suffered. I felt squeezed by my many commitments, and in choosing them I had squeezed God out of my life without even noticing.

Our busyness, in reality, prevents us from coming into His Presence and focussing on Him.

Cultivating a discipline of rest

Remember that famous scene involving Mary, Martha and Jesus? While Mary sat at His feet listening, thrilled to be in His Presence, Martha was so distracted by household chores that she had no time for the Lord. For Jesus, that was what really mattered – time spent communing with Him. The psalmist says it beautifully in Psalm 62:1 (NIV): “My soul finds rest in God alone.”

When we are too busy doing things for God, we forget what God wants to do for us – to restore our souls and inspire a new vision for our lives and communities. If we are too busy to enjoy the radiance of His Presence, this is also in fact dishonouring, and even well-meaning and godly activity can quickly become an obstacle between God and us. 

Since rest is not something that “just happens”, we must mindfully make space for God and intentionally cultivate a discipline of rest.

This requires planning, preparation and discipline. Any successful athlete will tell you that. Likening our Christian journey to a race, Hebrews 12 tells us that we can only endure in this marathon of life by “looking unto Jesus”. (Hebrews 12:1-2, NKJV)

The implication of this imagery is clear. Our long, exhausting, high-pressured race requires both physical fitness on one hand, and structured times of rest and recovery on the other.

Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, open our eyes to our limitations and tiredness. Help us to rest today, and as we do, please divinely refresh us by the power of Your Loving Spirit.

We welcome Your Presence, wisdom and revelation in our lives. Teach us how to rest well so we can run our race better.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Ponder

1. Are there areas in your life or ministry which seem to make you feel tired?

2. Reflect on the words “they who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength”. What might this look like?

3. What practical changes can you apply to make this verse a reality in your life?

This devotion was first published in “Dwell: An Invitation to Rest, Reflect and Renew” by Blue Mountain Kelong (www.bluemountainkelong.com), and is republished with permission. 

The devotional book, which includes 25 reflections on Creation, Hospitality, Rest and Mission by such Christian leaders as Dr Tan Lai Yong, Leow Wen Pin and Rev Dr Keith Lai, goes towards the mission of Blue Mountain Kelong Social Enterprise, which strives to awaken hope and transform lives through community development.

Books can be purchased at $12 here.

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Called the Celebration of Hope (not related to the 2019 national event of the same name), this event brought together 500 pastors from 40 different churches in an extraordinary show of unity. 

Pastors and leaders from various denominations—Anglican, Methodist, Charismatic, and Pentecostal—came together under one roof in worship and surrender.

Organised by the Alliance of Indian Ministries, the meeting was hosted by Pastors Joel and Sandy Samuel Jerome and the team at Cornerstone Community Church, Tamil at Odeon Katong. Ps Joel, a lay pastor with Cornerstone Community Church, Tamil, is the National Co-ordinator in AIM’s leadership team.

“We have been planning for this event since December 2023,” Ps Joel told Salt&Light. “The Alliance of Indian Ministries (AIM) organises a monthly meeting with pastors and this was where the vision for such an event was shared.”

Such a vision was no small feat to realise.

“There are around 70 Indian churches under AIM and this is across multiple languages like Tamil, Telegu, Punjabi, Hindi and Malayalam and across multiple denominations like the Anglicans, Methodists, Pentecostal and Charismatic churches,” Pastor Joel added.

“Every month that the AIM pastors met, we kept talking about oneness and unity, to come together as Indian churches to reach out to the Indian community.”

Pastors Joel and Sandy Samuel Jerome of Cornerstone Community Church hosted the launch of COH 2024 on behalf of AIM at Cornerstone Community Church, Katong.

Celebration of Hope 2024 was a historic event that marked the launch of a church growth initiative for Indian churches to collaborate and reach out to the community as the Body of Christ.

“It illustrated the possibilities that arise when faith communities unite under a common goal,” Ps Joel said. 

From dream to vivid reality

Planning took two years, but the dream of such an event was birthed back in 2018 when AIM held its first Leadership Conference. Guided by AIM, with Pastor Sam Gift Stephen as chairman, the event embodied a shared purpose amid diverse backgrounds.

Chairman of the Alliance of Indian Ministries, Ps Sam Gift Stephen and his wife Grace giving the charge for evangelism.

“It’s a testament to the power of a united faith and vision,” said Ps Joel.

He elaborated: “Previously, Indian churches were not united. Many church pastors were protective and apprehensive about collaboration, fearing that members of their congregations might leave to join another church if they opened up. While unity and oneness appeared to exist on the surface, it was not genuinely reflected in their hearts and minds.”

For an event like COH to have taken place marks a genuine change in the hearts and minds of the Indian churches.

“This event is significant because over 40 churches are now committed to the COH initiative, agreeing that we need to work together,” Ps Joel said. “We can no longer operate as fragmented and competitive entities; instead, we are coming together as a united church to reach out to the Indian community.”

COH is a collective church initiative over a nine-year period, ending 2033.

It brings the focus on evangelism to the forefront for every church and ministry that reaches out to the Indian community. Given the many different languages and denominations, there is room for these churches to do evangelism their own way during Easter and Christmas.

“On the other side, we are coming together as the Body of Christ, joining hands, praying and interceding together for the Indian community,” he said.

“According to the current statistics, the Indian Christian population in Singapore is 37,000. The mission of COH is for this population to grow to 100k by 2033. Why 2033? That’s the year when, 2000 years back, Jesus gave us the Great Commission.”

It is a lofty goal but Ps Joel emphasised that it is “not just aspiration but a strategic plan for outreach and healing.”

An event to remember

The day stood as a testament to faith, fellowship, and focused vision. The Indian churches worked together to run the event.

Worship was led by Kingdom Generation (KG), another initiative launched by AIM in January 2024. KG empowers Indian youth and young adults to seek His Kingdom first and equips them to be warriors for Jesus. The KG worship team consists of around 30 members, comprising youth and young adults from seven different churches.

Worship led by Kingdom Generation (KG), a next gen movement launched by AIM in early 2024. KG has volunteers of all ages, Sairah Samuel Jerome being the youngest.

The ushering and serving teams were led by Cornerstone Community Church, Tamil, with support from other Indian churches, including Life Centre, Jesus Lives Church, Parish of Christ Church, Praise Evangelical Church, City Missions International Church, New Home Family Church, and Jeevan Apostolic Church.

Special guests, Pastor D Mohan and his wife, Pastor Getziel, from New Life Assemblies of God Church (NLAG) in Chennai, India, graced the evening. Pastor Mohan, who grew his church from seven to 50,000 members in 50 years, shared an inspiring story of what faith and perseverance can achieve.

Pastor Mohan’s church focuses on two things: prayer and evangelism. These were the two fundamental aspects of the church growth NLAG experienced. Pastors Mohan and Getziel are also very close to Rev Naomi Dowdy, the former senior pastor of Trinity Christian Centre. Under her mentorship, the couple replicated her cell group strategy in their church successfully. NLAG is a testament to the cell group church growth concept and one of the early adopters. 

Pastor D Mohan from NLAG (New Life Assemblies of God) Chennai was the guest speaker. In 50 years, he grew his church from 7 to 50,000 people.

Pastor Mohan closed his message with a call to action and fervent prayer for pastors, leaders, and congregants, emphasising compassion for the lost. 

Alvin Reggie, Pastor of Praise Evangelical Church, told Salt&Light: “It was truly an indescribable night of oneness where we all came together: One Spirit, one Body, one Church.”

Hope for the future

The true power of the church is its people – united in purpose and ready to spread the Gospel to the community.

“This gathering wasn’t just about numbers, it was about transforming lives,” Ps Joel said. “The Tamil and Indian communities, facing challenges like broken families and addiction, found hope in the unified efforts of the church.”

As Ps Mohan gave the altar call, young and old gather at the altar, united by their passion and desire to become evangelists and shine God’s light within the Indian community in Singapore.

Many leaders and dedicated church members present at Celebration of Hope were thrilled to witness the Indian Church united.

“For decades, pastors constantly guarded their congregations, so collaboration with other churches seemed impossible,” the pastor explained.

“Now, however, there is healing in their hearts, knowing that there is unity and oneness, and this allows them to work together.

“The event was more than a gathering; it sowed seeds of evangelism and hope. Attendees left with renewed commitment to shine light and hope in their communities.”

There are plans for a COH gathering of the saints meeting in October or November 2025.

Ps Joel said: “We are planning to invite Pastor Satish Kumar from Hyderabad, the founder and Pastor of Calvary Temple. Calvary Temple is now the fastest-growing church and the largest church in the world with over 350,000 members.”

Attendees at COH were surprised and inspired by what they witnessed.

Senior Pastor of Jesus Lives Church, Jonathan Suppaya told Salt&Light: “To be very honest, I never thought this could happen but to actually see the saints gathered were on November 21 were unified, joined, combined, allied and bonded for just one purpose alone and that’s soul-winning.”

Revd Paul Xavier from the Parish of Christ Church added: “It was such a joy to see the churches from so many denominations coming together because we love Jesus, and we want to share that love of Jesus to the Indian community.”

Major Kunam, the oldest member and leader of AIM, led the attendees in an opening prayer.

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Dr Ng was going to be a missionary doctor while Belinda would be doing missions work with the womenfolk. They were the first missionaries from Singapore to Africa sent by the SIM Australia office and would spend the next 12 years there.

“When the plane landed in the capital of Niger, my first thought was: ‘We are finally here in Niger, Africa where God has called us to be.’

“Stepping out of the plane, it was a big culture shock. It was at least 45ºC,” Belinda, now 75, told Salt&Light.

It would take another flight by a light aircraft to get them to the village.

“The aerial view of the area was barren, no trees. There was no control tower, just a landing strip made of dirt.”

Galmi Hospital where Dr Andrew worked.

Her husband was whisked away to Galmi Hospital the moment they landed. He was the only qualified surgeon and there was a surgery awaiting him. Dr Ng would go on to bless countless with his surgical skills throughout his time in Niger. His ties to the country were so deep that when he passed away in 2019, his ashes were buried in Galmi.

Dr Andrew (right) was the only surgeon in the hospital when he first arrived in Galmi. It would be months before another surgeon joined the team.

Said Belinda of that first night: “I was left alone. Every sound from the roof made me scared. When I heard scratching, I remembered the story of a nurse in Galmi who was listening to the transistor radio and found the sound getting fainter and fainter because a thief was stealing the radio. 

“I thought I might have a thief on the roof. My son Nat was so innocent. He was fine but I was scared.”

The Ng family in front of their house at Galmi village.

In time, Belinda would become familiar with the groans and creaks from the house. The scratching she had heard that first night had merely been the branches of trees swaying against the zinc roof of the house. Missionaries before them had planted trees around the house and the hospital to provide shade from the punishing African heat. 

The call to Africa

Belinda became a Christian when she was 15 through Youth for Christ (YFC). Five years later at a Navigators’ Discipleship Conference, she heard God ask: “Are you willing to go to Africa?”

“Before the conference, I had prayed, ‘Lord, teach me a fresh lesson today.’ Now my question to God was, ‘Are You really calling me to be a missionary?’”

At the time, Belinda was actively involved in both YFC and The Navigators Singapore, and was attending Bartley Christian Church. Although she had been reading stories about missionaries, she knew nothing of locals being sent to mission fields.

“I thought maybe God was just testing my faith, like Abraham.”

Throughout the ride home on the bus, she debated with herself. Maybe God only wanted to see if she would go but did not really mean for her to go, much like how He wanted to see if Abraham could give up Isaac but did not mean for him to actually sacrifice his son.

She was an ordinary Christian who had not expected to become one to begin with, much less a missionary. She was still a young believer and had just started working. Besides, how would she be able to break the news to her parents?

“But I realised that I needed to say ‘yes’ because I love the Lord. There was no skirting around the question.

“My prayer was, ‘I will obey You but I will place everything into Your hands.’”

The next morning, during her quiet time, Hebrews 13:20-21 caught her attention.

“It assured me that God would equip me with everything good to do His will. My life is in God’s hands. He is going to do it. I don’t have to do anything. I held on to that verse.”

At church that day, she met Andrew who was just an acquaintance then. He handed her a few copies of a magazine called Africa Now which had been published by SIM. He himself had heard the call to go to Africa.

“At the time, he was interested in me and felt that the Lord was giving him the green light to start a relationship with me. His first attempt was to give me those magazines.”

Then during the service, the visiting speaker, an American who was passing through Liberia, West Africa, talked about how the “harvest in Africa is ripe” and to “ask the God of Harvest to supply the labourers”.

It was confirmation after confirmation of the call to Africa.

The long wait

God did indeed map things out for Belinda as she had asked. He led her to a man – Dr Andrew Ng – who had also been called to Africa. They got married in 1973 after about four years of courtship. At their wedding, Rev EN Poulson, who was then the Dean of Singapore Bible College and who officiated the ceremony, commissioned the couple to be missionaries in Africa.

Dr Andrew and Belinda being commissioned to be missionaries in Africa by Rev EN Poulson at their wedding ceremony.

But it would be another four years before they could set foot on the continent. During that time, they waited to see which part of Africa would open up for them and learnt French in preparation to be in French-speaking parts of Africa.

Belinda with Nathaniel and Dr Andrew when they were in a French school in Albertville, France in preparation for missions work in Africa.

“The waiting was the hardest. Not knowing what was ahead. But I had made a commitment and Andrew was very resolute. Ours was a joint calling,” she told Salt&Light.

“In the uncertainty, the verse that resonated with me was the call of Abraham (Genesis 12:1). When God called him out of Ur, he didn’t know where to go. God was leading him to an unknown place. But we have a God we can trust.”

That trust was put to the test from the get go. Shortly after arriving at Galmi, Belinda discovered she was pregnant. Everyone had been on anti-malaria prophylaxis to protect them from the life-threatening mosquito-borne disease. Now they had a decision to make.

“Should I take the pills to keep malaria, which is endemic in the country, away but is harmful to the foetus? Or not take it and maybe come down with malaria which will also affect the foetus,” said Belinda.

Belinda with Nathaniel while pregnant with Joel.

A missionary’s young child had contracted blackwater fever, the severest type of malaria and, though he survived, had been in a coma for six weeks. The risks were real.

“We decided that I would not take the pills. We just had to keep away from the mosquitoes the best we can. But at night, it was bad. Mosquitoes everywhere.”

Belinda remained malaria-free throughout her pregnancy. In April 1979, baby Joel was born.

The work in Africa

While her husband was thrust into the thick of action as a missionary doctor at Galmi Hospital, a “bush hospital” owned and administered by SIM International, Belinda busied herself with reaching out to the women and children.

She noticed that when the nomads came to the area to attend discipleship programmes, their wives and children were just “hanging around”. So she started literacy classes for them to teach them to read in their native language, Hausas. She also opened her home to the children.

Belinda (with umbrella) walking through the airstrip with the nomadic women on their way to the local church.

Conducting literacy classes with the nomadic Fulani women.

Enjoying singing and storytelling with the children of the nomads at her veranda

“Part of my ministry was to look for ways to reach out to the local people. I had to think of ways to connect with them.”

With another missionary wife, Belinda would go to the surrounding villages with a cassette tape to play Bible stories. They would start at the homes of hospital staff who would then introduce them to more people.

At the local church in which they worship, Belinda would get to know people and, through the relationships, meet others who had yet to hear the Gospel.

“It wasn’t structured. For example, I would hear of someone’s domestic helper who wanted to learn to read. And I would read the Bible with her.”

A small gardening project Belinda started became another source of connections for Christ.

The little garden that provided fresh vegetables that were hard to get in Galmi.

Joel with some of the lush produce from Belinda’s garden.

“We don’t get vegetables there. It’s a desert. So I grew vegetables. We have the theory and we hired locals to help with the labour,” she said.

What she grew, she would freeze in large quantities to share with fellow missionaries. In return, they shared their spoils with her. This became the start of what would be a food cooperative.

Belinda ran Galmi Cooperative twice a week for the missionaries.

“When Andrew went for field council, I would travel with him to buy groceries that were not easy to get where we were – canned food, cooking oil, jam, milk powder, oats.

“I connected with a local trader who would buy things in Nigeria. That’s how I found soya sauce and frozen chicken – because the chicken in Galmi were very scrawny, feathers and all they weighed only 1kg. Then I would set up a shop twice a week.”

Galmi Cooperative was thus born.

The life of a missionary family

The work in Africa did not come without personal sacrifices. There were no international schools where they were so the Ngs had to send their sons to a boarding school 900km or a two-day drive away from Galmi. Nathaniel was eight when he went away. Joel joined him three years later when he started Grade 1.

Dr Andrew and Belinda sending their sons Joel and Nathaniel off to boarding school.

“I prayed Jesus would come again so I didn’t have to send them away. But I was reminded of Isaiah 49:15, the strength of a mother’s love.

“I could get a picture of God’s love. If a mother can love so much, His love surpasses that. The depth of God’s love was something I learnt deeply,” said Belinda.

“Leaving Nat was very hard. There were no phones at the time, no internet. We didn’t even have snail mail. Instead, we had to depend on our plane to convey messages.

“We wrote every week. The kids were encouraged to write to their parents and we wrote also. I have a stack of their letters with me to this day.

“And I would stay up to make cookies for them so that when the plane came, I could send it to them and they could trade with other kids. I would bake into the night.”

The Ng family spent 12 years in Africa. Joel (baby in Belinda’s arms), who was born there, continues to have a heart for the continent.

The family returned to Singapore in 1989, having spent 12 years in Africa. It was Belinda’s experience in the field with her family that gave her a heart for caring for missionaries.

Today, she is based in the SIM East Asia office in Singapore, involved in member care and consulting on the care of missionary kids. She also does pre-field training for missionaries and mentors new missionaries in this region, visiting them in the field to ensure they are cared for even as they serve.

“We visit them so we can pray for them more specifically and share their stories so people know their needs,” she told Salt&Light.

“We also give them moral support, to recognise what they do and not just be interested in how many turn to Jesus. If you serve in a hard place, you can’t count (just the numbers saved).”

Belinda also works with sending churches to prepare not just missionaries but their families for cross-cultural missions.  

“When we go, we want to serve, we want to bless the people in whatever capacity we have.

“But instead, God does a deeper work in us than what He does through us. We are more blessed than us blessing others. We come to know God deeper and to walk in faith.”

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