Dear friend,
SYFC has a team of 66 staff who serve the Lord in different capacities and ministries. Senior staff carry with them years of experience and model faithfulness for the younger ones. Junior staff, on the other hand, bring energy and excitement to the work. In this letter, I would like to highlight two young people who joined the staff team in recent years. I hope that as you read their stories, you will better understand their calling and some of the challenges they face as young full-time staff.
Ho Jia Hui joined us after graduating from the university in 2020. She first started volunteering with the Secondary School and Junior College Ministry during her final year of studies and was tasked to lead a team to reach youth studying in schools in the southwestern part of Singapore. Her initial plan was to pursue a career in psychology upon graduation, but she changed her mind as she had wanted to focus on learning how to be a better Cluster Leader. I still remember my interview with her three years ago when she committed a year to learn the ropes and after which to return to the marketplace to pursue her career. Recalling what changed her mind after her one-year stint, she said that God showed her the preciousness of young people’s souls in the light of eternity.
Alvin Lim first joined us as an ITE student. He then volunteered in the ITE Ministry when he was studying in the polytechnic and during his National Service. Alvin is now pursuing a social work degree and is a part-time staff in SYFC. He monitors the evangelism efforts in the ITE Ministry and led in organising the recent This-connected Carnival in June. Alvin thought of joining the social work sector after his studies though now he is more inclined to convert to become a full-time staff because he enjoys the freedom of sharing the gospel with students he meets in his day-to-day ministry.
While Jia Hui and Alvin took the step of faith to join SYFC as staff, they have their concerns. They candidly shared that they are unsure if they will have enough to buy a flat. Jia Hui shares that she and her fiancé are trusting God to provide for them. Alvin added that sometimes he thinks about how much more he could earn as a social worker, although he is convinced that the reward of sharing the gospel is far greater than material wealth.
The two young staff’s concerns are neither unique nor new, and each staff in SYFC will have to work through their struggles with the Lord and trust the Lord to provide for them. We are very thankful that in so many ways, the Lord has been providing for the staff through your giving and prayers. Last year, after two years of wage freeze and because of inflation, there was a wage adjustment to help staff to meet rising cost. With the increase in salary expenses, I ask that you would prayerfully consider increasing your financial support to the staff and the work of reaching young people for Jesus Christ.
God is our Provider.
All Glory To God,
Richard Tan
National Director
