Clement Lau, 23, is a Sarawakian involved in the International Students Ministry (ITM). He attends Angora Brethren Chapel and joined Land Transport Authority as a Project Manager recently.

What brought you to Singapore?

Five years ago, when I was deciding on a school to study computer engineering, my cousin who was already here recommended me to his polytechnic.

How did you get to know SYFC?

My cousin goes to the same church as Jolynn Wong (the staff in charge of ITM now) and she invited me to an online programme conducted by the Polytechnic Ministry’s UPS during the pandemic

What kept you joining the UPS Programmes and now serving as an ITM Volunteer?

To be honest, after that first online event, I didn’t join many other UPS programmes and kept rejecting Jolynn’s invitation to meet up. Back then, my only desire was to do well in school, and I didn’t want to be distracted by many other activities.

UPS was the name of the ministry reaching international students before it became ITM.
Understanding God’s Word
Praying for others
Sharing Christ

But after my first year in Singapore, I realised there was nothing else in my life except school. Every week I would rant to my mum about how boring my life was. Finally, when the COVID measures were lifted, she advised me to attend a church and join a Christian ministry. In my mind back then, I knew God wouldn’t have sent me to Singapore just to study. So, I reconnected with Jolynn, started having Bible studies with her and we haven’t disconnected since then. I’ve been volunteering in ITM for two years now.

To me, ITM is an important ministry. When foreign students first arrive in Singapore, they are a bit lost. It gets lonely as friends and family are not with them. It was like that for me when I first came here, so I know how they feel and hope to help them. Through ITM, we befriend these students and help them assimilate into the life here more quickly.

What challenges do you face as an ITM Volunteer?

I’m an introvert and I struggle to relate with new people. I’m doing better today – less awkward around new people as compared to before. But with every batch of new students, I still must work on taking the initiative to know them and build deeper friendships with them.

How can our readers pray for you?

I just started work at a new place and looking at the hours, I will be limited as to how much time I can give in ITM. But I still hope to do as much as I can, so please pray for me to manage my time well. Please pray also that many more international students will be blessed and come to encounter Jesus for themselves as a result of God’s work through ITM.