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CEO of dating agency Lunch Actually, Violet Lim, had entered 2020 buoyant with hope. Then, COVID-19 struck. Not just worldwide, but right in her home. On March 26, Lim was diagnosed with the coronavirus and became Case 667. Her husband also tested positive and her whole family was placed on quarantine. Then, came the Circuit Breaker on April 7 and all physical consultations and dates came to a halt. “Even though we have an app and an online presence, 90% of our business is done face-to-face,” explained Lim. Lunch Actually saw business drop by more than 50%, but her team was quick to pivot. They started virtual dates. The company came up with different ways to make the online meet-ups fun, from questions for ice-breakers to tips on how to look good onscreen – “too high an angle and you look like a cartoon character, too low and you get a double chin”. Before long, they had managed to arrange hundreds of such virtual dates, some going so well that they lasted up to four hours. A Lunch Actually survey found half of its attendees are keen to continue on the online platform even as Singapore opens up. The other thing that Lunch Actually did was to ride the webinar wave during the Circuit Breaker. They launched a series of free online seminars to coach people on dating. “We believe in not only finding the right one but being the right one as well,” said Lim. “That’s what the coaching sessions are about.” But perhaps the best takeaway for Lim in this season are the personal lessons learnt. “I realised I’ve been very focused on busyness, needing to do this and that, and putting everything on myself. “The best outcome of this not-so-good situation has been my walk with God – reading His word, trying to get close to Him, unreservedly relying on Him. Who else can I rely on? (Psalm 121:1) “I can’t control the crisis but I can control how I react to it.” (Read the full story on Salt&Light. Link in bio.)
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As the nation suffers its deepest economic recession since 1965, small and medium enterprises feel especially vulnerable, being without the resources and lines of credit available to larger firms. “No transactions also means zero income,” said 62-year-old James Quek, owner of maid agency @myhelpersg. “The short-term future looks bleak, but as in all crises, this too will pass,” Quek said. Instead of worrying, he has spent this "precious time" developing systems and improving business processes. “This season of waiting is also a time for planting," he said. Quek's confidence is rooted in seeing how God has worked in his life before. "God is the provider and He never fails. This is not a cliché. Each crisis is painful, but an opportunity to know God better and understand His purpose for my life.” At @laudarchitects, founding director Joseph Lau, 70, estimates that the firm’s projects are facing delays of at least six months. “It’s challenging,” Lau admitted. With no new projects, cashflow is an issue, especially when new projects are not forthcoming either. “We must believe that God will help us,” Lau said. “When I’m anxious, I straightaway go to the Lord. “It boils down to faith. When God answers our prayers, our faith is strengthened,” he shared. “Hang on and trust the Lord; He has His plans for you in the big and small things.” Communications agency Mandate Advertising (@mandatesocial) has also been hit hard. Managing director Chew Lee Ching noted that in economic downturns, marketing budgets are the first to be cut. “It is a worrying time to watch your business grind to a standstill and see your revenue drop as fast as a pack of domino cards,” Chew said. The issue for her is not just about keeping the business going; rather, it is that there are livelihoods of people at stake. “I’m very, very thankful I have God on my side. I'm counting on Him big time to guide and lead me,” she said. "What a reassurance it is to know that God cares and I am not fighting the devastating impact of COVID-19 on my own strength." (Read the full article on Salt&Light. Link in bio.)
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As the nation settles into Phase 2 and safe measures are eased, churches are gearing up to adapt to a new “normal”. On June 19, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) announced that religious services of up to 50 people can resume with stringent safe measures in place. Churches’ responses to these new measures have varied, with some, like City Harvest Church and Hope Church, choosing to remain online. “There are still quite a few restrictions, like the size of the gathering and no singing. But singing is a big part of our worship,” said Pastor Jasmine Poon, who is in charge of Hope Church's Covid Taskforce. However, other churches have decided to resume physical services to accommodate those who struggle with the online platform, such as the elderly. Elder Peter Phua from the Hokkien congregation at Church of Singapore (COS), said the church is hoping to have three separate services – one each in Mandarin, Hokkien and Cantonese – for those who have been left out of the online services. “These people either don’t have Internet at home or don’t have smartphones. For the past few months, they’ve not been able to join us,” he said, adding that those who are able to attend the services at home will not be allowed to come to church. Still other churches are finding new ways of doing things. For example, Trinity Methodist Church will be having its first online Holy Communion combined service this weekend, the church announced on Facebook. After being consecrated by the pastor, the elements of bread and wine were distributed to members during the week via self-collection or delivery by church workers. Members will be partaking of the elements together in their homes on July 4 and 5. With all the changes that the Church has had to adapt to, Pastor Norman Ng from 3:16 Church foresees that the way we do church will never be the same: "When we next gather in Phase 3, it could be a very different church." (Read the full story in Salt&Light. Link in bio.)
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When they met as engineering students in university, Chong Ee Jay (left in photo), Adrian Ong (middle) and Wang Guanghan had no idea that 20 years on, they would still be firm friends who share intimately with each other. The band of brothers agree the friendship is especially precious because men “don’t usually let their guards down to be vulnerable”, as Chong puts it. “And when they gather it’s to do something, not to share their innermost thoughts.” They had met in a youth cell group at university. Fuelled by the same passion to reach out and share their faith, it was not long before the three were serving shoulder to shoulder on campus and in church on mission trips and at outreach events. If faith drew them to each other and working together helped them bond, going through life’s ups and downs was what sealed their friendship for life. Not too long after graduation, Wang was hospitalised for an infection. With a high fever that would not go away, he calls it “the lowest point in my life”. He could barely walk to the bathroom and when he soiled himself, it was Chong who cleaned him up in the toilet. "I felt so bad for him. It is something we always remembered. This caused us to trust each other.” The men have since journeyed with each other through their courtships, marriages and fatherhood. “When Adrian became a father, he modelled the way family life should be for us – how to be a good husband and doting father,” said Chong. In turn, the men rallied around Ong when his mother passed away from cancer just a little past a year after her diagnosis. At the heart of the relationship, though, is not merely a shared history. “Having friends of the same faith is very different because it is something so close to our hearts,” said Wang. For him, being able to share openly with them about his struggles as a pastor is like having “a refuge". “I know when I share, it won’t stumble them. Talking to them brings me back to my first love for God," he said. Ong added: “Having friends like them has helped me last the race." (Read the full story on Salt&Light. Link in bio.)
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"I wanted the freedom to define who I wanted to be," said Joshua Tan, 29, looking back on the 10 years that he spent as a partying, hard-living musician. “I lived a crazy life. I picked up smoking, drank a lot, dabbled in drugs," he said. Growing up in a Christian family, he had always regarded it as "my parents' faith". “I didn’t think of God as real,” he said, adding that he stopped going to church at 17. He started his own media production business after graduation, and was also one half of a hip hop duo which toured in South Korea and Jakarta. "I was in the wilderness of self-seeking: What would please me? What would make me happy?” But two years ago, the Lord met him in an unexpected way. He was home playing with his dog before leaving for work. His father was listening to an audio Bible as he does every morning. “He was playing it so softly. But then three words stuck out so loudly to me, like they were inside my head: 'Destroy false prophets.' “It felt like God was telling me: ‘I am going to destroy the false beliefs in you.’” He knew exactly what God was talking about. For a decade, Tan had been saying it was alright to live wildly as long as it did not hurt others. "It was a false belief system," he realised. He spent the next week poring over the Bible. On the sixth day, he came to the parable of the prodigal son. “The moment I read the line that the father ran to the son, I could feel the depth of the father’s love. I started to cry – the worst crying I had ever done – snot, tears and everything. I had to meet this God. He is real.” He eventually rededicated his life to Christ and surrendered to God everything he had once built up for himself. Part of that surrender is his decision to work full-time, without a salary, at @thefireplacecollective as a videographer. The new non-profit setup is a Christian creative agency. “I’ve always loved telling stories. Now, I’m doing content with a purpose, knowing that it glorifies God.” (Read the full story on Salt&Light. Link in bio.)
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Called to vote at an unprecedented time, Singaporeans are going to the polls on 10 July. Whether or not you need to vote, do you know that governments, whatever the form, figure quite a bit in the Bible? writes Elder Jimmy Tan from Bethesda Frankel Estate Church. He shares two points from Scripture about how God views all governments – regardless of who finally represents us. 1. Governments are God’s "go-between" Every ruling authority that exists, ever existed or will exist, is there only because God established it (Romans 13:1-2). This also means that as His agents, governments have authority that is derived and limited. In John 19:10-11, when Pilate threatened Jesus, He firmly reminded Pilate that he only held power because it was given by God. God is sovereignly involved in their tenure and hence, to put it starkly, removal too (Psalm 75:7, Daniel 2:21). 2. Governments are for our good It is easy for us to take this for granted in well-oiled Singapore Inc. Yet Romans 13:4 reminds us that God establishes government authority to act for the common good of all. • Laws and courts are supposed to administer both justice for our protection and the punishment of the wrongdoer (Romans 13:4). • The inspiration for social justice lies in God’s original blueprint and divine benchmark (Genesis 1:26-27). • God gave us governments to not only punish wrongdoing but commend “good-doing” (1 Peter 2:14). In the history of Christianity in Singapore, any good work our churches do now rests on the shoulders of many pioneering initiatives which blossomed in the fertile environment of the government then. These include the set-up of healthcare institutions, the provision of education for girls, orphanages or services to the handicapped and social services in areas of high social stigma or neglect. We must also thank God for the “Daniels” and “Josephs” who, through the years, have served behind the scenes with excellence to achieve much for Singapore’s good. May we pray for future governments to continue to do and facilitate good. Swipe right for a prayer for GE2020. (For the full article, click link in bio)
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Even in a world that seems extremely diverse, God has left imprints of Himself in the cultures of the world, which all point to the one Creator God. The written Chinese script is one such example that offers insight into God’s revelation of Himself to the Chinese people. By meditating on Psalm 1:1-3, we can consider several insights that we can see when examining the Chinese script. Psalm 1:1 reads: 不 从 恶 人 的 计 谋 ， 不 站 罪 人 的 道 路 ， 不 坐 亵 慢 人 的 座 位 How do we detect and avoid sin? The Chinese revelation gives us a clue. 罪 (zui) or sin in Chinese is made up of two parts. The top, 自(zi), is a pictograph of the nose to represent “yourself”. The bottom, is 辛 (xin), which means “bitter”. Sin is caused by self-centeredness which produces bitterness. Rather than being self-centred, we need to be God-centred. Embarking on the path of sinners produces bitterness against God and in our relationships. Walking on the straight and narrow path, on the other hand, leads to eternal life. Psalm 1:2 reads: 惟 喜 爱 耶 和 华 的 律 法 ， 昼 夜 思 想 ， 这 人 便 为 有 福 ！ What does it mean to be blessed? The Chinese word for blessing: 福 (fu) gives us some clues. 礻comes from 示 (shi), which is a pictograph of an altar for sacrifice. 畐 comes from the pictograph of a jar held up by two hands. It symbolises offerings and sacrifices. Our blessings originate from worship. Laying our offering with two hands on the altar of sacrifice is how we become truly happy. And truly, there is no greater offering we can give to God than to obey His law and live under His precepts. (Read the full article on our site. Link in bio.)
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To commemorate the @biblesocietysg’s 183rd Anniversary, Mr Tan Chuan-Jin spoke to over 450 pastors and Christian leaders via Zoom last week. This is an excerpt of the Q&A where Mr Tan spoke openly about faith and politics: • It is refreshing to hear a political leader speak freely about his faith, but it must be challenging. How do you do it? I am not shy to share information, so I do post on Facebook, sharing my reflections and thoughts. And that's my way of sharing my faith. I don't see a problem with that. I'm not proselytising. But it is something that I feel is important to not shy away from. Even though you get criticised. • Are there times you have to compromise? We live in a secular nation and society. As an individual Christian, I may choose to believe what I wish and interpret my faith in particular ways. But from a governance perspective, we have a society that's secular, and it means that we have citizens from different backgrounds, and it's about recognising their stakes, their contributions, their cultures, their religion. I believe that we can participate in our secular nation without compromising our faith. • What was one of your biggest challenges in office? Politics is much more public. Especially in today’s social media where you’re constantly exposed and attacked every day. That is the part I find difficult. With time it gets a bit better but on days where you're physically tired, it does wear you down, because we are human beings dealing with comments that are negative and hostile – and sometimes coming from Christians. This is where it comes back to again your calling and purpose, because that’s the only thing that makes sense. And for me, I know God is sovereign, and it's part of the process, something I need to learn to take in my stride. But it's a constant struggle. Being anchored in your faith isn’t rocket science, but it isn’t easy either. We may not know how our route will unfold, but we do know the way in which we should walk. I know that I need to walk that journey in a particular way and do it as best as I can until that journey changes. (Read the full article on S&L. Link in bio.)
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While companies were folding in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, one spark of a business idea was fanned into a burning flame. In March, despite the dismal economic outlook, three friends got together to register a non-profit Christian creative agency, @thefireplacecollective (TFC). Their plan is to connect individuals and groups to those in lighting, video production and music, to create creative content – whether it's a song to be written, music video to be created, story to be filmed, or a live performance to be put together. “At the heart of it, our intent is missional,” said Ling Jia Hao, 37, director of the company. “The desire is to see the lost sons and daughters come home to God.” The idea first came up in 2015 after God told him to create a safe space, he said. “It was to be like in a living room, a family context where people could be around a fireplace and be real and raw with each other, open up their hearts and catch the fire of God.” In 2018, he had 20 regulars from the local Christian music industry. The group, called The Fireplace Worship, met over barbecues and often would end up worshipping and encountering God together. It was out of this community that the business TFC was birthed. The team had grand plans for theatre-style live shows, but everything had to be moved online because of the coronavirus outbreak. They have instead been producing and posting mini-shows in a series called By the Fireplace. Their following is only just building up, but the response has been more than what the team hoped for. Co-founder Priscilla Tan, 31, did the first episode on her own with three cameras, sharing about the Circuit Breaker’s impact on motherhood, and received heartfelt messages from people relating how they had been moved. One mother was so touched that she, too, shared her journey, which prompted Priscilla to write back to pray for her. “Another also messaged me that she went through depression. As she listened to the episode, she felt that God was with her.” (For the full story, click the link in bio.)
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Trinity Theological College's longest-serving principal, Rev Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian, will be stepping down on June 30 after almost two decades at the helm of Singapore's oldest inter-denomination seminary. The 70-year-old will be succeeded by the current vice principal, Rev Dr Edwin Tay. Under the leadership of Rev Ngoei, who took up the mantle in January 2001, TTC nurtured closer partnerships with churches and denominations, and built up its financial strength to ensure educational quality. Laity-targeted courses and resources were developed and launched with part-time options, like the Master of Theological Studies in 2005. In the last 10 years, TTC (@trinitytheologicalcollege) has also extended its reach, building links between seminaries in Singapore with various joint efforts holding conferences and offering certification across regional and international seminaries. “In a sense, I grew together with TTC over the years,” said Rev Ngoei, who feels that the journey has been a fulfilling one with TTC now having a “credible” track record and global partnerships. Over 200 students, a third of whom are foreigners, enrol in TTC each year, and often go on to serve the Christian community as chaplains, pastors and ministry staff. One of the biggest changes he has seen in the last two decades, said Rev Ngoei, is the recognition of Bible colleges as an important part of spiritual formation and growth. In the past, theological education was shunned, even by educated Christians who frowned upon such “intellectual pursuits”, he said. But in recent years there has been a growing need for theological education amongst a “thinking and enquiring” Christian community who are moving from “milk” to “solid food”, he added. While Rev Ngoei is looking forward to leading a slower pace of life and more time with family in retirement, this does not mark the end of his service in ministry. Said the Honorary General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Singapore: “As a clergyman, I must always be open to God’s prompting and His call to serve,” he said. (For the full story, click the link in bio.)
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Speaking on @impossible413’s live Instagram broadcast on May 30, Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, 51, articulated his definition of leadership and shared openly about the struggles leaders face as they strive to make a difference in the world. "People trust you because of who you are as a person,” he said. Being genuine and real is therefore important. But to do that, you need to be comfortable with who you are and keep your ego in check. Mr Tan, who was Speaker of Parliament until it was recently dissolved ahead of the 2020 General Election, recounted candidly how, on his first day as a Minister, he told his staff that there were things he didn’t know and would need time to learn. “It’s the same at every place and every job. We all feel that we need to put up a front, in order not to appear inadequate; so we create this distance from people, so that they don’t see those weaknesses” he observed. "But doing this creates a barrier. We need to learn to be comfortable with who we are and work with the team so that everyone lifts everyone else up and covers each other’s weaknesses. This is when the collective really becomes a greater sum than its parts.” Mr Tan urged leaders to aim for authenticity, to be the same person whether you’re facing cameras or with those under your care. “I realise it’s far easier to be yourself, otherwise you keep putting up a front and start losing track of who you are. People are seeking authenticity. This has a huge bearing on engendering trust,” he said. "While Jesus Christ is an example of the perfect leader, naturally we would all fall short of that 'very tall order'. "The truth is, we all have our shortcomings. We're all inadequate, and I do feel exceedingly inadequate." But yet we should not be discouraged as we are all human, he said. "In fact, I learn more from my failures and inadequacies." Reminding everyone that it is God's sovereignty that allows things to unfold in our lives, Mr Tan added: "It's whether we open up ourselves to allow God to work through us as we follow God faithfully." (For the full story, click the link in our bio.)
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Hearing a clear call from God, Fong Loo Fern responded in obedience and spearheaded an initiative to get 300,000 reusable masks sewn for migrant workers. The managing director of home-grown tailor @cyctailor shared how the Lord had guided her and timed everything perfectly, even before COVID-19 in foreign worker dormitories. She said: “Three weeks before Circuit Breaker was announced (on April 3), Doreen Tan, CEO of Textile and Fashion Training Centre, asked if I could provide her with fabrics as she wanted her students to sew masks to give to charity. “It gave me the idea that we could mobilise volunteers. “During my quiet time, the Holy Spirit also prompted me to get our production staff to make masks to donate to foreign workers. They were my first thought as I have always been grateful for the work they do in Singapore. “As we believe in zero-waste, we had stored up a large quantity of leftover fabrics that were not large enough to make a garment, but too large to throw away. “In late March, we developed a mask design with our production team. We finalised the prototype on Tuesday, April 1. We prepared our Facebook posts and were planning to post on April 3. “On the afternoon of April 3, PM Lee Hsien Loong announced the Circuit Breaker. His other major announcement was that the community was now encouraged to wear a reusable face mask. We had launched our masks at the right time. “Because everyone had to stay home during the Circuit Breaker, pre-cut mask kits were sent to sewing volunteers. Each kit had fabric, twist-tie wires and elastic for 300 masks. “More than 4,000 people signed up, though logistically we weren’t unable to work with everyone. I was totally overwhelmed by the positive response. “Looking back at what transpired, the Lord has definitely been directing my path. Our appeal for volunteers to help sew masks for the migrant workers came just before the massive spread of the virus in the dorms. “We couldn’t have anticipated that an idea to help would have generated that much interest. Only God’s grace and perfect timing could have given us that.” (For the full story, click the link in bio.)
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Gerald Giam, 42, first stepped into the political fray in the 2011 General Election as a candidate in East Coast GRC. He will be fielded in the upcoming GE as a candidate in Aljunied GRC, which the Workers’ Party first won in 2011. Mr Giam tells Salt&Light how his Christian faith has shaped his political journey. • How did your faith inform your decision to first step into the political fray? When Queen Esther was contemplating whether to request an audience with the King as her people were facing the threat of genocide, even as she feared for her own life if she did, Mordecai advised her, “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14) Eleven years ago, I applied to join the Workers’ Party because I felt a calling to play my part to help build up a strong and credible Opposition party. I placed this verse on my wall to remind myself every day of why I do this. • How has your faith helped you deal with what you’ve seen or experienced in the political arena? Politics is sometimes a lonely journey because there are sensitivities in sharing too much with others. There were times where I could only share my disappointments and fears with God and my wife. But I have been refreshed each time I cry out to God. • How do you personally reconcile being part of an Opposition party with Scripture on submitting to authorities? I asked my life group leader this exact question. He said that submitting to governing authorities as Paul exhorted in Romans 13 meant obeying the law of the land. It did not mean not questioning policies in the interest of the community or not joining a political organisation other than the ruling party. In fact, I strongly believe that participating in politics, regardless of political stripes, is an act of worship to God, if done for the right reasons. I believe God looks at the hearts of individual men and women, not at the slogans of political parties. (For the full interview, click the link in our bio)
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“I’ve always imagined I would be the kind of dad who prioritised time with my kids over work – end work by six, bring them to the park for a run or to the beach,” said father-of-two Jonathan Cho, 33. But when COVID-19 forced Cho, a lawyer, to start working from home with a toddler and a newborn, the boundary between work and home blurred. “I saw myself becoming the kind of father I didn’t want to be. The kind of father who prioritises work over family – who is at home but not home. At home but on the phone, on the laptop, in the room by myself.” That was when “#dadguilt” set in. His little girl Zoey, now two-and-a-half years old, would sneak into the room while he was working. Unbidden, the words “leave me alone” would come out. Then, regret would follow. With a baby who has yet to settle into a routine of sleeping through the night, being present for a “bright and chirpy” toddler who is raring to go at seven in the morning has not always been easy. “When you are half awake, you say a lot of things you don’t mean: ‘Can you just play by yourself?’ Then, you wake up with a mix of guilt, frustration and anger.” Cho feels that many fathers don’t articulate and share their struggles enough: “Most of the time, dads keep things to themselves and it’s a cycle. If nobody is talking about it, other dads must be feeling fine.” The first step, Cho advocates, is to share openly so that, if nothing else, dads can say: “Yeah, yeah, that’s me, too!”. “The biblical picture of manhood often involves emotional, spiritual and mental resilience that comes from being honest” – another way to combat dad guilt, he said. Cho is also learning to turn every occasion for dad guilt into an opportunity to remember his heavenly Father’s unlimited love. In fact, his failings constantly remind him that only God is perfect – a deeply humbling yet oddly freeing experience. “The contemplation of how Jesus represented the Father’s heart, what perfect fatherhood looks like, it makes me realise this is how I am loved. “I provide and protect because this is how I am provided for and protected by Him.” (For the full story, click the link in bio.)
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COVID-19 has created unprecedented stress and strain on global healthcare systems and world economies – and human psyches, too. The threat to life and livelihood and the drastic changes to lifestyle have resulted in more incidences of domestic violence as well as calls to mental health hotlines in Singapore and around the world. To help readers identify their feelings and get help, one group of Singapore doctors and healthcare professionals have produced an illustrated ebook, Caring for our Mental Wellbeing during COVID-19. It is available for free. President of the Singapore Psychiatric Association Dr Christopher Cheok, who was part of the team, said: “Besides the COVID-19 health issues, social distancing and economic impact would affect the mental health people in society.” Currently, no national studies on the impact of the coronavirus on mental well-being in Singapore are available. But the trajectory shown by studies overseas does not bode well for the nation. “What we want to encourage is mental health education, self-help – and turning to helplines when self-help is not enough,” said Dr Cheok. The ebook is a checklist of emotions and corresponding helplines based on the team’s assessment of the greatest concerns during this period. Dr Cheok listed some of the psychological fallout of COVID-19 that require care: Anxiety and insomnia from health concerns. Social isolation. Adjusting to new living routines and work. Depression in some who have suffered greatly from the economic fallout, financial market losses and lack of job security. Cartoon-style illustrations make the ebook easy to understand. “We felt that pictures carry the message better than prose since the booklet is aimed at the general public," said Dr Cheok. The ebook is distributed via social media and is available on the Singapore Psychiatric Association website. Members of the public are encouraged to share it with their family and friends. (For the full story and the link to the ebook, click the link in bio.)
