New Student Yang Jin Oung: A story of God’s Grace
Yang Jin Oung is in the centre.
Have you ever wondered what types of students does EAST attract?
Mature students who have ministered effectively in their own rights over a substantial period of time are one type of applicants who are attracted to study at East Asia School of Theology. This is due to EAST’s emphasis on developing holistic ministry practitioners for the Great Commission. Here is one story from a new Korean student who has just enrolled at EAST together with his family.
My name is Yang Jin Oung, and looking back at how I came to EAST, I can only confess that every single step has been led by the clear grace of God.
Before coming to Singapore, I dedicated 12 years to campus ministry with Korea Campus Crusade for Christ (KCCC). During those years, God allowed me to witness incredible growth and bear much spiritual fruit among university students. It was a season of intense learning and passion. However, as the years went by, God began to expand my heart with a greater vision for global missions. I realised that to serve the world missions more effectively in this changing world, I needed to equip myself with sound theological training, advanced English proficiency, and professional ministry skills.
4Twelve Academy Introductory Workshops
East Asia School of Theology‘s heritage as an interdenominational theological graduate school of Campus Crusade for Christ International with over 34 years of experience in field education and ministry in Singapore has given us the privilege of working with churches and missions agencies in their ministry equipping needs. 4Twelve Academy is a new initiative of EAST that seeks to provide relevant micro-credential trainings for the laity and pastors of local churches in Singapore. In the last few months, the Academy had rolled out free introductory workshops. Designed to fit into the busy lives of marketplace believers, these sessions were aimed to give participants a taste of how practical, bite-sized biblical training could benefit them.
We gathered the feedback from our participants across three distinct modules: The Skilled Helper, Strategic Leadership in Church Operations, and Theology of Work. Here is a look at what went well, what resonated most, and how we are moving forward.
Jarred Jung: EAST 32nd Commencement’s Reflection
EAST stands on the foundations of many who have gone before in equipping past cohorts of ministry practitioners. As EAST held its latest Commencement Service recently, we praise God for His faithfulness over the decades. The reflection below is written by Dr Jarred Jung, an EAST Resident Faculty and Coordinator for the EAST 32nd Commencement Service.
On 16 May 2026, 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 favourite 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.
EAST Valedictorian 2026: Pang Xin Xian
Valedictorian Pang Xin Xian graduated with Master of Divinity in Intercultural Studies at EAST 32nd Commencement Service on 16 May 2026. She received the Academic Excellence Award 2026 and Sim Ai Tee Christian Character Award 2026 too.
Below is the text of her speech delivered at the Commencement Service. You may watched her delivering the graduate’s reflection on YouTube too.
Years ago, I was in Japan packing up after a year of ministry. As I packed, I was trying to figure out what would happen when I returned to Singapore. Would I go straight into long-term missions? Would I return to working as a pharmacist? Would I study online? Would I work in church? Little did I imagine that three years later, I would be standing here today with all of you, graduating from seminary. And so I left Japan and returned to Singapore at the start of June 2023.
Pray for EAST 32nd Commencement Service
EAST 32nd Commencement Service will be held on 16 May 2026, Saturday.
This year EAST is blessed with a graduating cohort of 52 students from our resident campus in Singapore, EAST Extension Centres (EEC) around Asia, and in partnership with the following partners:
- Certificate counselling program in partnership with Elim Center, Singapore,
- Competency-based theological education graduate program in partnership with Kairos University, USA and
- Doctoral programs in partnership with Asia Graduate School of Theology Alliance (AGST Alliance), South-East Asia.
These graduands are from nine countries viz East Asia, Indonesia, India, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. We rejoice with these graduands who will graduate from the following certificate and degree programs.
EAST Library Catalogue
EAST Populi
National Library Board eResources
The Digital Theological Library
