CCTI 2021 – Reaching, Building and Praying with the Nations

CCTI is a core segment of our student programme at EAST. It stands for Cross-Cultural Team Internship, and the team ministry experience is truly cross-cultural–within the team and on the ministry field.

Traditionally, our CCTI teams fly abroad for at least three-weeks for a cross-cultural ministry trip. This year, our team carried out the ministry online to reach communities from four different geographical areas.

Cambodia
Our team had an online session with a community of Filipino missionaries in Cambodia about finding purpose and fulfillment in God. We give thanks that there was a fruitful question-and-answer session with a good sharing of thoughts about listening to God and living in obedience.

Philippines
The team had a time of equipping with a group of Filipino youth in the area of bible study methods with an intentional goal of personal life transformation. We are glad to play a part in their equipping, and pray that they will be fruitful in life change happening in their communities and beyond.

Singapore
The team spent time with a group of church youth and young leaders from a team member’s church in Singapore, with testimonies which opened the youth’s eyes to some of God’s work in the nations beyond our shores, specifically in Philippines and South Korea.

India
For a community of young believers from a fellow student’s church who were incidentally finishing school and getting ready to find work, the original plan was to have a session about using one’s skills and talents in God’s kingdom. As a way of being reflexive to the current reality of the job market in the region, the team changed plan to make the session a prayer meeting to cover the community in prayer and encouragement.

Team Journey

Our team members have grown throughout their CCTI journey, and we give thanks that for each one and for the whole team, God has been an unshakeable anchor and unwavering source of support.

One of the learning points which have been resonating with our team is that there may be many cities that are locked down–but God is not locked down, and His mission continues in our lives. We are not restricted from His call in our lives in such a time as this.