Yang Jin Oung: A story of God’s Grace
Yang Jin Oung is in the centre.
My Journey to EAST: A Story of God’s Grace
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.
While praying about this next chapter, the Director of Cheonan CCC highly recommended EAST. As I researched the school, I was deeply moved to find that EAST perfectly aligns with the core vision and philosophy of CCC. It was not just an academic institution, but a community dedicated to launching Christ-centered leaders into the harvest fields. I knew immediately that this was where God was calling my family and me.
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.
Dr Lewis Winkler: Summative Project Reflection
If you were to reflect on your growth experiences in the past couple of years, what would they be? How would it affect your present faith journey and ministry? Below is a brief reflection by Dr Lewis Winkler, EAST Resident Faculty of Systematic Theology, about what the graduating cohort of students have experienced at EAST.
The Summative Project gives graduating students the opportunity to reflect upon and share about what God has taught, wrought, and accomplished in and through them during the course of their studies at EAST.
In Memory of Alumna Lim-Bay Wan Jee
In Memory of Lim-Bay Wan Jee (1973-2025), EAST Alumna 2007, MDiv ICS
On 8 March 2025, EAST Community lost one of our best and brightest students who graduated in 2007 with a Master of Divinity in Intercultural Studies – Bay Wan Jee. The Lord has called her home. All who know her and have been touched by her gentleness and warmth will cherish our memories with her in our hearts. She graduated from EAST with an Academic Excellence Award, earned by those who are top of their MDiv cohort academically. Wan Jee has also served as a missionary with Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF) for 15 years after her graduation from EAST. Her ministry was with the elderly in Japan. But when she was undergoing cancer herself and had to go through pain, hers was also a ministry of pain among cancer patients whom she could relate to and empathise with.
Wan Jee married later in life with Siah Chuan on 31 December 2021 and though the Lord had only granted them over three years together, they loved each other deeply. Below is Siah Chuan’s heartfelt tribute of Wan Jee:
EAST Library Catalogue
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