EAST Thanksgiving 2025
A glimpse of EAST Thanksgiving 2025
On 7 November 2025, EAST Community gathered for a time of Thanksgiving as the students ended their classes for the semester. This event was organised the week just before the exam week as a faith step since some will travel immediately after their exam. The current cohort of students comprise of nationalities from 12 countries including Cambodia, Germany, India, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. The event kicked off with a warm welcome by emcee Jing Fei (Singapore) wearing a Peranakan themed shirt (ready for the “Ethnic Fashion Show” afterwards). Then our youngest student Isaac Do (Vietnam) teamed up with Ruth Hmway (Myanmar) to lead the crowd in an exciting time of games. The first question was, “What is the main purpose of Thanksgiving for Christians?” Dr Samuel, an EAST faculty, shouted, “To eat turkey!” He recanted by stating, “To thank God for His blessings!” to approving cheers from all present.
Student Themreiso: So Much More Than Assignments
Below is a reflection by second year student Themreiso Awungshi (MA in Biblical Studies) from Manipur, India, from what he had gleaned from his time at EAST.
The last month has been deeply humbling and faith-strengthening for me. I have seen spiritual leaders around me live out their faith with love, concern, and passion for God’s work and their lives have inspired me to walk more closely with God.
On the first day of class, I saw our professor, Dr Roland Tan—a loving, caring teacher and experienced leader—cleaning the ground with a water hose. His humble act of service demonstrated true servant leadership. I was deeply moved and inspired to become like him. It reminded me of Jesus’ words: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26, NIV).
Dr Roland cleaning the ground with a water hose.
Wishes & Prayers for SG 60
For SG60 With Love
Below are Wishes and Prayers for SG60 from the EAST community, in Singapore and around the World. May God bless Singapore to be a blessing to the nations within her borders and beyond.
I want Singapore to be strong and prosperous in the next 60 years, where her people live in unity and harmony. I want Singapore to be a nation where equity, integrity and truth are the foundations of everyday life; where there is no discrimination of race, colour, social status, individual ability or appearance. I want Singapore to be a community of love, where people look after one another and where generosity roars. I want Singapore to be a friend to her neighbours and a contributor to all efforts of peace around the world.
May God bless Singapore with strength and prosperity and give into her heart, equity, integrity and truth that she would live out in her everyday life. May God help her embrace everyone, regardless of race, colour, status, ability or appearance, with love and generosity and also bless her with friends from many shores and enable her to contribute to every effort of peace around the world.
• Chan Wei Har, Alumna, Singapore
New Student Anna: In God’s Hands, Dreams Do Come True
Anna is among the new multicultural cohort of EAST students, being introduced to Singapore urban hawker culture.
Below is a reflection by “Anna”, a new student who hails from a mountainous country. Wanting to pursue further studies was always my dream that remained inside my heart for the longest time. When people were going abroad, I was excited for them but for myself, I had to console my heart. Read more
Ruth Hwmay: My First Semester of Studies @EAST
Ruth Hwmay is a new student from Myanmar and studying Graduate Diploma in Theological Studies. She worships and serves with Agape Baptist Church in Singapore. She shares about her first semester of studies at East Asia School of Theology (EAST) below.
While I have previously not considered attending a seminary, yet this semester marked the beginning of my first year of seminary studies. This semester, I took four subjects: Christian Marriage, World Mission, Exposition of Matthew, and Spiritual Life and Transformation. Each of them provided me with a transforming understanding of God that I had not experienced before.
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