Alumna Cynthia Oh: EAST and My Writing Journey
I (Cynthia) love to write but I had not imagined myself to be a published author.
The story started in 2013 when I began taking up courses at EAST. With encouragement from my EAST mentor Dr Kwa Kiem Kiok and classmate Ms Boo Hui Ling, I plucked up the courage to do a MDiv in Intercultural Studies, instead of taking courses at random. When I made that decision I had no concrete plans except to equip myself should the Lord call me to missions. I remember that afternoon, having lunch with them at the KKH food court, sweating in my seat thinking,“ What am I getting myself into?”.
Heart to Heart: One Church’s Inter-generational Journey
L-R: Ms Charissa, Rev Dr Henry Wong, Ms Ting Siew Lee
What does it take for the generations to walk together in unity?
Covenant Presbyterian Church (CPC) has been on a journey to foster inter-generational connections. Pastor Rev Dr Henry Wong and Ms Charissa, a next-generation lay leader, shared their journey and learning insights in a fireside chat facilitated by Ms Ting Siew Lee of Capelle’s Church Equip on 8 August 2023 at East Asia School of Theology. This was followed by breakouts into three smaller groups for guided discussions.
Church leaders and pastors from some 28 denominational and independent churches were in attendance for the event. During the breakouts, Pastor Henry, Charissa, and a church Elder, Joan, were the resource persons in each of the groups. The group members answered questions like “What are the mindset changes needed to build stronger intergenerational connections?” “What has worked well in your church that you can share to help others?” “Who needs to be involved for the church to better engage the generations?” etc.
Student Council AGM 2022
How have the Student Council (SC) been instrumental in developing community at EAST?
The answer to this question and more were part of the report made at the SC Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 25 March 2022.
The program was designed as a Thanksgiving Service and SC Annual Election. There was praise and prayer time as we thank God for: the graduating students; the events and activities of SC as reported by the Student President; testimonies of growth by SC members; and the casting of votes by the students for the next SC. The votes will be tallied and the final slate of elected candidates who have agreed to serve will be made known at a later date.
Dean of Students: “God, my life belongs to you.”
L to R: Lazary (17), Lisbeth (21), Siew Leng, Casey Lok, Latricia (14), Lemuel (25)
Rev Dr Casey Lok and his wife Siew Leng are no strangers to EAST. Even before Casey joined EAST as a resident faculty in 2015, Casey was with EAST as a student and graduated in 2007 with a Master of Divinity in Teaching and Exposition. He went on to obtain a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Theology in Practice from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 2017, and was ordained as a Minister by the Association of Mission Practising Churches in 2019. In 2018, he was appointed Associate Dean of Students to assist the then Dean of Students Dr Roland Tan. In July 2021, Casey stepped up to be the new Dean of Students.
A Community Together
Design by Blessed Ong.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17.
Most likely to be a familiar verse to most of us, we know that “iron sharpens iron” means that we Christians are meant to keep each other accountable and “sharp” for the Lord.
What does this look like in our daily lives? We should make all efforts to interact and communicate with our Christian communities, even during inconvenient times such as these. Despite feeling comfortable at home, we should take the time and energy to go for physical services and bible studies.
Iron need to come into contact with other iron to sharpen each other, as we should as Christians motivating and building up each other.
EAST Library Catalogue
EAST Populi
National Library Board eResources
The Digital Theological Library
