Ruth Hmway: Christmas Carolling Reflections
Below is Ruth Hmway’s reflections on her recent carolling experience during the school break. Ruth is currently enrolled in Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies at EAST and she is from Myanmar.
This Christmas season, I had the privilege of joining my fellow students from East Asia School of Theology (EAST), Singapore, for a meaningful caroling outreach. Our team was beautifully multi-ethnic: eight of us from Myanmar, and friends from China, India, Bhutan, Cambodia, and the Philippines. Though we came from different nations, languages, and stories, we shared one heart, to proclaim the love and hope of Christ through music.
Desmond Teo: Reflection on Faculty Development Days
Faculty in training Desmond Teo shares his reflection on the Faculty Development Days which happened at the end of last semester.
More than 30 EAST resident and adjunct faculty members gathered for a time of development and strategic planning from Nov 12-14th. On the first morning, newly minted Dr Josephine Goh distilled key insights from her dissertation titled “Making Room for Formation: A Hospitable Space in Mentoring Groups”. Based on fieldwork done amongst mentoring groups at EAST over the past several years, she mapped out the various dimensions that contribute to a transformative mentoring environment in an Asian seminary. Affirming strengths that the research surfaced about the mentoring culture at EAST, she led faculty members in giving thanks to God and encouraged them to press on in these areas. She also facilitated times of reflection and discussion on ways that EAST can strengthen the mentoring system at EAST, so that future cohorts of students can continue to experience deep transformation as they pursue theological education at EAST.
Christmas Greetings
EAST President, Faculty, Staff and Students wish all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Exposition of Mark (Onsite) – May 2026 Intensive Course
Exposition of Mark (Onsite)
NT551, 3 Credits
19 – 29 May, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
(from Tuesday to the following Friday, excluding Saturday and Sunday)
An expositional study of the Gospel of Mark, focusing on its genre, structure, and historical context. The course examines its purpose, role within the biblical canon, and major theological themes. Its relevance for contemporary life, mission, and ministry is explored, equipping students to understand and apply Mark’s message effectively.
Hallur Mortensen, PhD, first joined Operation Mobilization in 1999 working in London. After theological studies he taught at Peter Achimugu College of Theology in Nigeria as a missionary with Mission Africa (2010-2013). In 2017 he rejoined OM and is currently serving as Kanto regional leader in OM and in an assistant pastor role in Agape Community Church in Atsugi, Japan. His particular interest centres around the three spheres of Biblical Studies, Mission, and Japan. He is married to Shino from Japan and they have four children.
Registration deadline: Monday, 11 May 2026
Alumna Mei-Mei Lee: Treasured Possession
The testimony below was first shared by alumna Mei-Mei Lee during Faculty Development Days 2025 as a devotional.
A father gave his young daughter a pearl necklace, and she adored it so much that she wore it every single day. Years later, when the girl was older, her father asked her, “Please give the necklace back to me.” And do you know what she said? “No.” She refused, saying, “This is my favorite. I love it.” Sometimes, we are just like that little girl with God. We cling so tightly to things we cherish—a ministry, a relationship, a position, or a dream—that we cannot let go. For me, that thing was my ministry.
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