Our Board members are diverse in backgrounds and experiences. Some have no prior SYFC involvement. Some are staff members on the ground. Others were involved in SYFC when they were younger. Their varied exposures enrich the ministry as they provide governance for the work of youth evangelism.
Mr Loon Sum Loon (right, with his family) currently facilitates pre-marital courses for young couples and discipleship classes for adults in his church. More than 10 years ago, Mr Francis Maniam approached him to join the Board. Having served in his church’s Senior Sunday School, he resonates, “Youth work has been a big part of my ministry life.”
Observing the tremendous change in the environment for youth evangelism with internet and social media, Sum Loon’s concern is that “young people are inundated with information today. They are in a difficult position to discern truth from deception. We need to establish youth with truth from the Scriptures to counter the secular worldviews they face daily.” In the Board, he hopes to provide a different perspective as someone who did not grow up in SYFC.
Mrs Eirene Wee (right) remembers the great spiritual influence of Dr Benjamin Chew, her grandfather and also our first Board President, and Jim and Selene Chew, her uncle and aunt. “Their witness led me to seek the Lord.” In her teens, she participated in SYFC rallies and special events. Subsequently, she served as a missionary with her husband and is now Teaching Director of a Bible Study ministry in a secular country in the West. More than 15 years ago, Eirene was approached to join the Board. “Given the kinds of pioneering, outreach and discipling ministries I had been involved in, I was delighted for this opportunity to serve in SYFC.”
Observing the impact of the media from outside of Singapore and how the young are influenced deeply, she shares that our challenge is “first to understand the youth, what they’re going through, how they see the world and which influences are taking a grip on them.” Currently ministering in an “almost anti-Christian Western media-impacted environment,” she hopes to contribute to the Board by making aware these confusing global influences and also effective means to reach youth.
Sharing a similar concern about social media impact on youth is Mr Tay Ming Teck (left). “While they are more “connected” to their devices and internet, the concern would be how to make meaningful “connections” (genuine relationships) with them, so as to share the gospel with them.” Ming Teck has been an active volunteer since 1994. After graduation, he served full-time for a year and a half before transiting to the marketplace. “Being a volunteer with SYFC for a long time gives me a clear idea of our purpose and mission.” Serving in the Board is his way of extending his service to God in SYFC. He hopes to give practical support to the executive team and full-time staff.
Miss Magdalene Loh, one of our newest Board member, spent some of her younger formative years in SYFC and grew in her faith. “Geared to the Times, Anchored to the Rock sums up the work well. This generation grapples with issues the Bible has answers for, and the task is to share this in relevant ways that resonate.” She co-leads sessions to help the Board “reimagine the future” and has also conducted sessions for our staff on Design Thinking.
Despite not being in the direct work, Sum Loon, Eirene, Ming Teck and Magdalene, together with 14 other Board members, share the same passion and purpose with the staff and volunteers of bringing the gospel to young people. They steadfastly provide input, stability and strength as their predecessors had done so, with a heart for God, His Word, His people and the gospel. We thank God for our Board!
Angela writes for REACH and serves in Secondary school and Junior college Ministry (SJM).
