Dr Jarred Jung: EAST 32rd Commencement’s Reflection
The reflection below is written by Dr Jarred Jung, both an EAST resident faculty and coordinator for the EAST 32nd Commencement.
On 16 May, EAST celebrated the sending of another class of students into the harvest fields of countries throughout Asia with our 32nd commencement ceremony. As a faculty member at EAST, commencement is one of my favorite days of the year. In many careers, it can be difficult to see the fruit of one’s labour, but we get to celebrate this every year in a tangible way. It fills us with great joy to see students who we have invested in for two, three, sometimes up to four years receive their hard-earned degrees. Perhaps it is the festive atmosphere that brings about this joy, but from my experience, there is something deeper than the morning of festivities.
One deeper source of joy is our love for the students who are graduating. At EAST, a student is not merely a seat filled in a classroom, an empty bucket to fill with our own knowledge. Rather, we see our students as ministers of the gospel that desire transformation. As faculty, we make every effort to invest in their lives, their ministries, their families. Ask any EAST faculty about one of our resident students and they most likely can tell you not only the student’s name, but the names of their spouse and children, the church where they attend, the ministry for which they are preparing, and maybe even about the struggles they have overcome in their studies at EAST. Commencement is a time where we get to celebrate the transformation that the Lord has brought about in the lives of these students who we have not only taught, but also shared meals with, invited to our homes, and prayed with.
Organisational Leadership – Onsite Intensive Day Course
Organisational Leadership (Onsite)
LD534, 3 Credits
25 November to 4 December 2026, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
(from Wednesday to the following Friday, excluding Saturday and Sunday)
Study of organisational behaviour, development, and leadership, especially that of faith-based organisations. Students interact with both biblical principles and best practices related to organisational design, the continued development and health of the organization, team building, collaborative leadership, leadership development, and succession strategies.
Neil Mamburam, DMin, is the President of AcELT (Academy for Excellence in Leadership Transformation). His goal is to equip and empower leaders for national transformation through building spiritual movements. He earned his DMin in Leadership Studies at Singapore Bible College in 2015. For 17 years, he was the professor for leadership that equipped organizational leaders in the Philippines and across Asia. He is happily married to Marianne and they have three children and one grandchild.
Registration deadline: Tuesday, 17 November 2026
Vision, Mission & Goal Setting – Strategic Church Leadership Workshop by 4Twelve Academy
What part does vision and planning play in biblical discernment of God’s will for a local church? If so, how does one go about doing it?
Join Mr Tan Ban Thong in this “Vision, Mission, and Goal Setting” 3-hour workshop by 4Twelve Academy. He has over 40 years of experience in public sector leadership development, strategic HR consulting, organizational development, and workforce transformation. He also serves as a long-time Elder and Chairman of the ExCo of Calvary Church.
11 July 2026, Saturday, 9.30 am – 12.30 pm
East Asia School of Theology, Level 3
118 Joo Chiat Road, S(427407)
Here are some comments from those who attended a prior workshop in this series:
Biblical Foundations 1 – Onsite Day Course
Biblical Foundations 1 (Onsite)
BS412, 3 Credits
Fridays, 9.00 am – 12.00 pm
An overview of the books in the Old Testament. Attention will be given to the historical, grammatical and literal interpretation of each Old Testament book as well as the importance and unique contribution of each book in the entire revelation of God.
The course is limited to Master’s Preparatory Program students and visiting audit students.
Napitchaya Panum, ThM, comes with ministry experiences of working with college students in Thailand and the USA. She received her ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary (USA). Her desire is to use her training to equip students to engage actively in God’s word with both heart and mind.
Registration deadline: Monday, 13 July 2026
Strategic Leadership in Church Operations – Workshops by 4Twelve Academy
Would you like to be a more biblically strategic and operationally competent church layleader, elder or pastor in an increasingly complex environment?
In today’s Christianity where church leaders are expected to be effective in managing one’s church in the dynamic marketplace, it certainly requires one to not only have spiritual depth in the Word, but also a strategic and operational clarity, organisational competence, and cultural intelligence in church management to operate in a complex operating environment.
The advent of AI and technology, the growth of a more educated populace and congregation; whose lives and living are shaped and impacted by digital disruptions, economic pressures, generational shifts, and pluralistic values — a need had arisen where church leaders of the future are expected not only to acquire organisational management ability, but also critical people skills to complement the governance of churches, biblical pastoral shepherding of God’s people; thereby ensuring a continual and sustainable church mission anchored in Christ. Learn how to strengthen your leadership competency at the following 4Twelve Academy introductory workshops:
Selected Saturday, 9.30 AM – 12.30 PM.
East Asia School of Theology, Level 3, 118 Joo Chiat Road, S 427407.
Instructor: Mr Tan Ban Thong
- 11 Jul 2026: Vision & mission alignment; Goal setting.
- 15 Aug 2026: Ministry planning frameworks; Workflow & systems: Resource management.
- 12 Sep 2026: Reporting practices; Budgeting principles; Volunteer management.
- 10 Oct 2026: Mentoring & Discipleship.
- 21 Nov 2026: Team building; Action planning; Commitment & follow-up.
To sign-up for one or more of these free in-person workshops:
Registration closes the day before each workshop. Hurry, limited seats!
EAST Library Catalogue
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