I used to stay on a fourth floor apartment which has a balcony. On one of the rare days that I sat there doing my morning meditation, I noticed two bees buzzing around a palm flower. To the best of my knowledge that palm has never ever flowered. How those two bees could smell the nectar of that flower so far up from the ground and come to help themselves to it, I will never fathom!

Then, I think of the work that Singapore YFC is doing. Many times, I have been asked by friends of my generation, “So how is SYFC doing these days? I haven’t heard about them.” It gives me joy to share with them that SYFC is doing what it had always been doing, sharing the gospel with young people, not only here in Singapore but in the region as well. It is all done quietly, without blowing our trumpet and creating any headlines. The methods have changed. We no longer do big events like rallies at Victoria Memorial Hall, wild goose chases, Playmax etc. We are constantly evaluating the methods used.

Finally, I just met someone who had been in Sunday School when I was the superintendent many years back. She told me how I made them memorise Scripture and be rewarded a Bible after they were able to memorise enough passages word perfect! That obviously worked during that time. It won’t work today, not when every teenager has at least one mobile phone and they can download the Bible in as many versions and languages as they wish!

Do pray with the staff of SYFC. May they also be like the men of Issachar during King David’s days who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do (1 Chronicles 12:32).

Mr Hia Chek Phang’s involvement in SYFC started as a student in 1962. Today he continues to serve as a Board member.