Inter-Collegiate Games Day 2023

 

After four years, the Inter Collegiate Games(ICG) 2023 resumed on the 3^rd of March. Inter-collegiate games are sports competitions between different bible colleges or seminaries. These games can be a great opportunity for students to represent their school and showcase their abilities. The ICG comprises 5 competitive games and 1 indoor activity. Alongside these activities, there were snacks and ice cream provided by the host school, Singapore Bible College, for family, friends and alumni who came down to cheer and support their loved ones.

There was excitement when it was announced that ICG will be held this year! However, the excitement isn’t uniform. Some were excited because ICG is an event that unifies Singapore’s different seminaries, others were excited to be able to just play sports, and others were excited by the prospect of displaying their talents and getting the first prize and more. The motivations behind one’s excitement are an interesting insight because from those motivations we will be able to track one’s personal understanding of the purpose of the ICG.

Personally, I was rather excited about the ICG, simply because it was an opportunity to be able to do something else besides assignments or ministries since I am a ‘more active’ type of student. I took part in the EAST football team. It was encouraging to have 10 people registering and representing EAST in football. We met for 2-3 practice sessions before the games, to have a friendly kick-about among ourselves and with some friends from Baptist Theological Seminary.

3^rd March was a rainy day which kind of put a damper on the whole event.  For the participants of the ICG, besides the uncertainty that the rain brought to us, there were the pre-competition jitters. All of these feelings were distractions to what I later discovered, was the main purpose of the ICG. At 2:30 pm, all the schools were ushered into a big auditorium. It was at this auditorium that I personally saw how God ministered to me.

The first highlight of ICG 2023 was when all of us came together for a time of worship and praise. There was this intangible sense of togetherness; a moment where all of us, regardless of seminary or denomination, were brought together.  The second highlight was when Rev. Dr Clement Chia welcomed all of us and reiterated the reason for ICG 2023, that is, it is a golden opportunity for all the seminaries to come together to fellowship, unite and network.

The ICG was indeed a unique and valuable occasion, where various seminaries around Singapore can come together to mingle, interact and foster good relations.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.

It is as if the dew of Hermon, were falling on Mount Zion.

For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

Psalms 133

We all emerged as winners because we experienced goodness and pleasantness of the unity of God’s people. It was a memorable and precious afternoon, because of the common faith we have in our Lord Jesus Christ. To God be all glory.

The above reflection on Inter-Collegiate Games Day 2023 held on 3 March 2023 at Singapore Bible College was written by Amos Chew, first year Master of Arts in Leadership student at EAST. The participating seminaries included Trinity Theological College, Singapore Bible College, East Asia School of Theology, Baptist Theological Seminary and Discipleship Training Centre. It was also notable that Rev Dr Edwin Tay, Principal of Trinity Theological College, commented at the start of the Games that having these different seminaries coming together to fellowship is very precious and unique, and we in Singapore need to treasure this unity amongst us. 

Grateful thanks to all students, staff and faculty who represented EAST for the various Games and gave off your best efforts:

• Bible Quiz: Brandon, Elaine, Mikel, Poh Chin
• E-games: Aya, Elijah, Hyewon, Nuugi
• Football: Amos, Athem, Brandon, Hak Soo, Henry, Japheth, Jarred, Matthew, Timothy Jung, Timothy Li 
• Table-Tennis: Clare, Ee-Yuing, Jack, Jane, Joseph, Samuel

 

The photos at the top of this post are taken by Lau Ying Kheng.