Elene Ng, 43, was a student, then a volunteer, and later a staff with Singapore Youth for Christ. Now she serves in her church’s youth ministry while serving as a volunteer in the ITE Ministry.
How did you meet SYFC?
My interest in Christianity started while in a convent primary school. Then I watched the ‘Jesus’ film and wanted to know more about this Jesus but somehow there was no opportunity to do so.
Subsequently in secondary school, a Christian friend introduced me to her sister, a SYFC volunteer who led me in Bible study to help me understand more about the Christian faith. I asked many difficult questions which often stumped her. But she was very nice which was why I thought then that if I could be in the company of people like her and can go to heaven, then why not? Concerned that my motivation for believing in Jesus was not quite right, she decided I needed more Bible study to make sure I understood the gospel and its implication.
Subsequently, you became a volunteer and staff. What was it like for you?
When I first joined Project Serve, the Lord exposed my lack of interest in reading the Word. At one point, I really didn’t want to continue with the “too many” Bible sessions and honestly, I understood nothing. One day, I prayed and God spoke to me. He used the Parable of the Sower to show me I was the third soil and too many things were distracting me from walking with Him. Then, I confessed my sin and was renewed in my relationship with Him. I grew to know God better and enjoyed working with young people and even had the privilege of seeing some coming to know God personally.
After some years as a staff, I felt I needed a time-out to further equip myself. I left and took a break from serving in any role in SYFC. I studied the Bible with the Bible Study Fellowship, gained a better understanding of who I was and what I should do in the next phase of my life.
What led you to come back and serve with the ITE Ministry?
Through a talk with Albert Lee, my church leader and one of SYFC’s ex-National Director, I realised my time with youth was not over yet. He advised me to continue with the ITE Ministry because he saw I could connect with ITE students well and thought I shouldn’t give up on something I had started on. I agreed. So, I went back to serve. I was put in charge of the Volunteer Growth Team to help young volunteers better understand the gospel. Also, through the years of serving in ITE ministry, God encouraged me by transforming the lives of the young people we were working with. One of whom is Alvin Lim, whom we first met when he was an ITE student. Today, he is the ITE Ministry Coordinator and I hope to support him in whatever ways I can.
How can our readers pray for you?
Please pray for good health and energy to be with the young people, for joy and to know how best I can support the SYFC staff team as I serve God in this season of my life.
