EAST Community Gathers @ Aleph 2022
As we start a new academic year, EAST Aleph was held from July 1-15 for the cohort of new students. Aleph – the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet signifies a new start and more to come for our new students. This two-week immersion program aims to orientate the new students in several aspects – helping our international students to have a better understanding of cross-cultural living in Singapore, gain a better grasp of the various programs offered at EAST, and begin to experience and live out EAST values, etc.
A Rich Man
As Enkh surveys all that he has gathered over the last three-and-a-half years, he feels like a rich man. “We came to Singapore with only the first month’s rental,” he says, “but God has blessed us with much – books, clothes, schooling needs, and treasures that money cannot buy.”
Such treasures included practical knowledge he could bring back to his three congregations of “first-generation believers” in and outside of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s captial city. “I have already started teaching my leaders back home what I learned here, e.g., Bible Study Methods by Rev Jacob Li, spiritual disciplines by Dr Lewis, and Theology by Dr Raymond Go.”
“I really like Dr Raymond Go; he would entertain my many questions – even disagreements – in class.”
When I am weak
Yami Asai Shimray (India) recently graduated with an MDiv in Christian Ministry and also received the EAST Spiritual Multiplier Award. She served as part of the pastoral team at New Horizon Church. She was recently married to Mathingmi Hongchui in a beautiful wedding service at Grace Baptist Church. Both of them are deeply committed to build up the Church in India and beyond. Yami will leave for her DMin studies in Family Ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, joining her husband who is reading a PhD (Christian Education in Family and Generational Studies) at the same seminary.
Growing up in Manipur, India, ‘fear’ was not in Yami Shimray’s dictionary.
At six, she fell into a river during a riot but climbed back up “to everyone’s amazement”; at seven Dad passed away and she became Mummy’s helper at home while she worked; all through university and Masters degree in Tourism Management, she worked to support herself.
Meet at the Well
Meet our Valedictorian Jasmine Lee Wan Shan, 36, from the recent 28th Commencement. She worships at Bethesda (Bedok-Tampines) Church and has graduated with a Master of Divinity in Christian Ministry.
Four years ago, Jasmine Lee and ladies in her cell group started a “Meet At The Well” ministry, which gathers believers from different churches for friendship and fellowship in the Word.
“The program centers around conversations that concern singles, within an informal setting of food, games and spiritual encouragement,” says Jasmine.
In a way, Jasmine’s stop at EAST has also been a “meet at the well” for her.
Journeying in EAST as Families & Couples
Many of our students at EAST are married, and quite a few are in Singapore as international students with their families. Going through the EAST learning journey as a couple/family enriches our students’ seminary experience and allows their families to grow together as a community.
EAST Library Catalogue
EAST Populi
National Library Board eResources
The Digital Theological Library
